Artistic Director Rob Melrose’s Reflections – Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville
It’s a true delight to bring one of the most iconic Sherlock Holmes stories to an audience as passionate about these tales as you are. This marks our seventh production of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you!
I first encountered The Hound of the Baskervilles as a young person, attending a production at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. I remember being absolutely captivated—and terrified—by that monstrous hound! The memory still gives me chills.
What’s wonderful about Ken Ludwig’s adaptation is how it masterfully balances suspense with humor. He’s infused the story with so much wit, making it an exciting, fast-paced adventure where five actors seamlessly portray all the characters. It’s always a joy to watch our talented company transform before our eyes, but here, they’ll do so many times over the course of the show.
As many of you know, this production also marks a significant moment for Todd Waite, as it’s his final performance with the Alley as a Resident Acting Company member. For decades, Todd has defined the role of Sherlock Holmes for our audience, so it feels especially fitting that this is the show where he brings his tenure to a close. While this production marks a “so long” rather than a “farewell,” I plan to coax Todd back to the Alley as a guest artist between his well-deserved travels and retirement. His legacy here is nothing short of incredible, and we are so proud of all he has achieved with us.
