“A Sherlock Carol,” at Westport Country Playhouse, by Zander Opper

“A Sherlock Carol”

Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse is currently presenting a highly entertaining production of “A Sherlock Carol.”  Written and directed by Mark Shanahan, this show is a great deal of fun and can be considered a sequel, of sorts, to “A Christmas Carol.”  In “A Sherlock Carol,” Sherlock Holmes is investigating the murder of Ebenezer Scrooge.  The case is brought to him by Doctor Crachit, who is actually Tiny Tim, all grown up.  Taking its inspiration from “A Christmas Carol,” “A Sherlock Carol” has Sherlock Holmes visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and it should be noted that Holmes, himself, can certainly be considered a bit of a humbug at the outset of the show.

Drew McVety is wonderful as Holmes and he is surrounded by a terrific cast, some of whom play multiple roles, to engaging effect.  “A Sherlock Carol” is extremely joyous and festive and Shanahan has endowed this play with both its share of scares and holiday cheer.  The production has been gorgeously designed and, Shanahan, as director, keeps the play spinning merrily through its two acts.  For those who are looking for a new and offbeat show to get into the Christmas spirit, “A Sherlock Carol” at Westport Country Playhouse is the perfect play to see and it offers a great deal of enjoyment.

At the outset of “A Sherlock Carol,” the case of who murdered Ebenezer Scrooge is presented to a somewhat hesitant Sherlock Holmes.  Despite his misgivings, Holmes does take on the job of solving the mystery and it’s very interesting and enthralling to watch the plot unfold.  As mentioned, Drew McVety is ideal as Holmes, but his fellow performers in the show also get their chances to shine, as well.  Dan Domingues is great as Dr. Cratchit and it is fun to see Tiny Tim all grown up.  Also in the cast is the fantastic Isabel Keating, who plays The Countess deliciously, among other roles, and Sharone Sayegh is fine in multiple parts, too, particularly the character of Emma Wiggins.

Ebenezer Scrooge is embodied skillfully by Byron St. Cyr, who appears in flashbacks, as well as serving as a ghost in the second half of the show.  It’s a delight to see Holmes visited by the same ghosts that Scrooge once had to face.  Not to be forgotten, Joe Delafield is an expert Dr. Watson, but this actor is even more amusing playing Scrooge’s housekeeper.  Indeed, Delafield is so hilarious in this part, wearing a lady’s wig and a full length gown, that he comes close to stealing the show, and would, if his fellow cast members weren’t as good as they are.

On James J. Fenton’s glorious Victorian set, “A Sherlock Carol” manages to precisely capture the look and feel of its time period. For scene changes, the performers move set pieces on and off flawlessly, and the whole show flows smoothly throughout.  Linda Cho’s costume design is absolutely stunning and the atmospheric lighting design is by Alyssandra Docherty.  Their collective work adds immensely to the production.

There are so many twists and turns in “A Sherlock Carol,” that I would hate to give away any of the surprises that pop up.  This play does closely follow the story of “A Christmas Carol,” in its own fashion, yet this show is also a crisp and literate detective story, as well.  Indeed, one of the chief pleasures of this play is to watch how skillfully this show straddles both genres.  “A Sherlock Carol” is an extremely inventive concoction and this production at Westport Country Playhouse is sure to offer audiences, in equal parts, both sinister thrills and plenty of holiday merrymaking.

“A Sherlock Carol” runs through December 22, 2024, at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct., Westport CT. For tickets and information, please call 203-227-4177 or visit westportplayhouse.org.

Photo: Drew McVety and Byron St. Cyr

Photo by T. Charles Erickson