It’s dangerous to be married to a corrupt police inspector in 1880’s London. His wives tend to wind up dead. Sounds like a case for female detective Miss Sherlock Holmes and her trusty sidekick Dr. Dorothy Watson in “Miss Holmes” at GreenMan Theatre Troupe in Elmhurst, Sept. 20-Oct. 6.
Performances of the Christopher M. Walsh play, based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
“I was lucky enough to see the world premiere production at Lifeline Theatre in 2016,” said Katie Soria, who plays Miss Sherlock Holmes. That’s when she decided that she wanted to be in the show if GreenMan produced it.
“Sherlock in this show has a lot of the same qualities as the Sherlock that people are familiar with from the literature,” Soria said. “She’s very sharp but sometimes a little socially awkward. And that’s compounded with being a female where they weren’t expected to be reactive in the ways that she is trying to be a professional investigator.”
Soria indicated that she is interested in the character’s social commentary because she is a trained sociologist. One aspect of that is how people are treated based on their gender. The actor said that shows “the frustration of being a very able person that’s not always recognized.”
Soria believes that the gender switch in this show is relatable because of the continuing reaction to ambitious women. “We’ve come a long way but we haven’t come all the way,” she declared.
Lauren Visser, who plays Dr. Dorothy Watson, wasn’t planning to audition for this show. “I work in immigrant and refugee resettlement so it’s very busy right now,” she explained. But after attending a readthrough of the play, she changed her mind.
“I loved the complexity of the characters, the cleverness of how the script was written,” Visser said.
When she was offered the part of Watson, the actor said, “I was a little intimidated knowing that Sherlock and Watson are iconic characters where people often have ideas and expectations.”
She accepted the role because, “struggles that they’re writing about in 1800s England still resonate today, especially if you’re a female who is trying to have a position of influence and make a difference in the world.”
Visser loves the complexity of her character. “We see that she is very committed to the care of others,” Visser noted. “She has dealt with loss. She is willing to learn. She’s angry at a society that does not value everyone equally. Her anger pushes her to make a difference.”
And Watson has better people skills than Sherlock Holmes, the actor added.
Visser believes that the gender switch works because “a Sherlock Holmes story is less about Sherlock Holmes and more about the mystery.”
“I definitely appreciate the mystery but I did not know much about the Sherlock Holmes mythology before taking on the show,” director Becca Easley admitted.
Easley chose to direct this show because “I really enjoyed the gender swap on the main roles,” she explained. “It is rare that we have an opportunity to do that with such a known property. And we have a very strong group of women actors in the Chicagoland suburbs and I was excited to make that opportunity available.”
The director praised the show, observing that it’s a really good mystery “that speaks to the canon of Sherlock Holmes.”
Like the familiar version, Sherlock Holmes in this show “is very smart, always three steps ahead of everybody else,” Easley said. “But there’s a layer of insecurity in her personality.”
“Watson’s on the cusp of a life transition,” the director reported. “She knows that she’s a very talented brand new doctor but has been given several choices as to where she wants her life to follow and has to make a decision.”
There will be talkbacks after the Sept. 22 and 29 performances. Playwright Christopher M. Walsh will participate in the Sept. 22 discussion.
(Fact Box)
‘Miss Holmes’
When: Sept. 20-Oct. 6
Where: GreenMan Theatre Troupe at First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York St., Elmhurst
Tickets: $20; $15 children and seniors
Information: 630-464-2646; greenmantheatre.org/miss-holmes.html
MORE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
Here are some other events occurring the week of Sept. 19-25 in Doings and Pioneer Press suburbs.
Show sizzles
Des Plaines Theatre presents “The Bacon Brothers Freestanding Tour,” 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at 1476 Miner Street, Des Plaines. Tickets: $59-$129. 224-354-2333; desplainestheatre.com/event/the-bacon-brothers-freestanding-tour.
Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon and his Emmy-winning composer brother Michael Bacon have spent three decades exploring their mix of folk, rock, soul, and country music.
Kitten caboodle
Paws and Claws Cat Rescue presents “Rally for Rescues,” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 21 at Baker Park, Kenney Street and Forest Avenue, Evanston. Tickets: $25; $20 members. 224-307-2900; pawsandclawscatrescue.org.
There will be outdoor games, food, face painting, arts and crafts, a silent auction, merchandise for sale, and a chance to adopt a kitten at this popular annual event.
Triple talent
FitzGerald’s Nightclub presents “Phil Angotti Performs the Music of Chris Isaak, Buddy Holly, & Elvis Presley!” 7 p.m. Sept. 24 on the Patio at 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Tickets: Free. 708-788-2118; fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/shows/list/?twpage=2.
The songwriter from Chicago’s South Side is a multi-instrumentalist and singer.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.