(Chelsea Update would like to thank Katie (Doral) Hubbard for the information in this story.)
Mystery, romance and comedy.
Audiences can expect to find all of this and more in The Purple Rose Theatre Company’s upcoming world premiere of “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear,” an original play by David MacGregor.
“Sherlock” runs Thursday, March 29 through Saturday, May 26.
Tickets are on sale now. Previews, with reduced-price tickets, are available through Thursday, April 5; opening night is Friday, April 6. The play contains adult language and content.
Set in London in December 1888, the story centers around the notorious and as-yet undiscovered genius Vincent van Gogh, who presents the master-sleuth Sherlock Holmes with a most unusual case. Aided by his partner Dr. Watson and his paramour Irene Adler, Holmes embarks on a rousing adventure.
Join the world’s greatest detective as he solves one of the most audacious crimes of the Victorian era.
“Why did I write this play? To see it,” said MacGregor. “It’s an action-adventure featuring copious amounts of absinthe, a severed ear and fabulous women sword-fighting, all set in the Victorian rooms of the greatest fictional character ever created… –Sherlock Holmes.”
MacGregor is a Detroit native and graduate of Michigan State University. This production will mark his fifth world premiere at The Purple Rose, preceded by “The Late Great Henry Boyle” (2006), “Vino Veritas” (2008, 2017), “Gravity” (2010), and “Consider the Oyster” (2011).
Artistic Director Guy Sanville describes the play as “a funny and thrilling backstage pass into the lives of not only Sherlock Holmes, but of Dr. Watson, Irene Adler–a mysterious and beautiful young French woman with a dark past– the wounded Vincent van Gogh, and none other than the witty life-of-the-party, Oscar Wilde. This is a chance to see a side of Holmes rarely depicted: a man in love and loving every minute of it.”
Directed by Guy Sanville, the cast features resident artists Rusty Mewha (Plymouth) and Tom Whalen (Royal Oak), as well as Mark Colson (Lansing), Paul Stroili (Chicago, IL), Sarab Kamoo (Lathrup Village), and Caitlin Cavannaugh (Chicago, IL).
Set design is by Bart Bauer, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Susanne Young, lighting by Noele Stollmack and sound by Brad Phillips. Angie Kane Ferrante is the stage manager.
The production sponsor is Legacy Assisted Living. Underwriting support for the season comes from the Ford Motor Company Fund, The Hamp Family Fund, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and the Matilda R. Wilson Fund.
Ticket Information
All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park St.
Ticket prices range from $20.50 to $46 with special discounts for students, seniors, teachers, members of the military and groups. For more information or to make reservations call (734) 433-7673 or go to www.purplerosetheatre.org.
