Theatre Review: The Remarkable Mister Holmes

Laguna Playhouse once again plays host to another stunning Sherlock Holmes adventure! After a successful run of the moody and tense “Holmes & Watson”, the gears of the genre sets afoot with a different game as an all-new wildly comedic musical. “The Remarkable Mister Holmes” takes the famous detective to new territory as a musical comedy murder mystery. The creative team settled and  modeled the show as “My Fair Lady” meets “The Producers”.

Quite an accurate deduction for any fan of the classic musical stylings of yesteryear and madcap hilarity of Mel Brooks. And a daunting task at that. Holmes must solve a series of baffling crimes without the help of his trusted partner. An unexpected sidekick fearlessly arrives much to the dismay and annoyance of the prominent crime solver. Holmes equally admires but hesitates to admit an admiration to the cunningness and beauty of the new arrival. Bringing out a side of the hero seldomly seen. Packed with wordplay, red herrings, and zany surprises, this over-the-top rollercoaster of musical mayhem will amuse fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in a new light for a fun night out.

Shrewd Sherlock Holmes (Paul Slade Smith) is unwillingly mismatched with prudent Sheila Watson (Shannon O’Boyle), Dr. John Watson’s estranged sister, while the good doctor is sent away. Inspector Lestrade (Martin Kildare) interrupts with news of various religious leaders being found murdered with artifacts nearby the bodies. Could there be a pattern that connects the victims?

Meticulous Artemis (Jason Graae) is the manager of the Hotel Magnificent where the victims appear to be piling up. The hopelessly sweet hotel servant Phyllis (Darcy Rose Byrnes) seems to be caught up in the string of murders frequently walking into the crime scenes and discovering dead bodies. Siblings Gerda Von Schwanz (Katie Karel) and Gustav Von Schwanz (Michael Scott Harris) are stuffy royalty hotel guests on tour to display priceless jewelry from their home country.

Rabbi Plotkin (Pat Slade Smith) gets caught in the whirlwind and plays a part in a plan to catch the murderer. All the cunningness seem to overwhelm Holmes’ housekeeper Mrs. Hudson (Susan Denaker) as she expresses irresistible urges for her employer. By the end, it is discovered that Sherlock Holmes is not the only individual hiding behind disguises and manipulation.

The production value has incredibly blossomed in recent seasons at Laguna Playhouse. The dynamic tone of a Sherlock Holmes mystery between back-to-back seasons is a spectacular one-two punch at Laguna Playhouse. The respectable follow up really demonstrates the diversity this stage can deliver. Anyone who follows the musical catalog of “My Fair Lady”, “Funny Girl”, “Hello Dolly”, or “A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder” will find the setting and songs well suited. In place of big show-stopping numbers are the seemingly irrelevant time-fillers dedicated to minor characters that may or may not serve the plot, which feeds into what clues and details matter or not.

Often stopping to belt out songs TO the audience rather than with the other players on stage to keep the story moving forward. This equally meets with eloquent intimate moments of with the main characters. Stand out impersonations belong to Sherlock Holmes and Sheila Watson. The spot-on mannerisms and poetic chemistry makes their irritable banter between one another a fresh departure from the norm. Sherlock has met his match to a crime-solving partner as stubborn as he is. A pairing perhaps not seen since the likes of Irene Adler. The prowess nature of Sheila Watson gives her solo musical numbers a Mary Poppins type charm.

The ensemble cast are, well, remarkable themselves. Many take on multiple roles throughout the show’s run. The talent pool does not run short of stellar. Although described to be in the comedic take of Mel Brooks, minimal chuckles were brought forth with some bleeps of sporadic amusement. The story meanders with side characters designed as distractions until  returning to the murder mystery at hand.

Elements to the writings layout in the makings of a Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie murder mystery is inherently woven. It’s still complicated business to balance with meaningful musical numbers that illuminates crime solving and unraveling the mystery. The songs are not too memorable except for a select handful from the lead characters. There’s much to be desired for more meaningful musical numbers that serves the story and characters.

Nevertheless, this was surely an entertaining addition to a new adaptation to an old classic. A murder mystery musical spells out delightful fun, charm, havoc. Sherlock Holmes like you’ve never heard or seen before.

“The Remarkable Mister Holmes” is presented at Laguna Playhouse from March 5 to March 30, 2025. Book by Omri Schein and David Ellenstein. Lyrics by Omri Schein. Music by Daniel Lincoln. Choreography by Jill Gorrie. Musical Direction by Alby Potts. Directed by David Ellenstein. For more information including ticket sales, visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787.

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