SHERLOCK HOLMES FOR CHRISTMAS AND TWO TENNESSEE CONNECTIONS

John Arnold playing Sherlock Holmes

In my January 8, 2013 post (http://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-more-glimpse-of-scrooge.html), I described the wonderful experiences I’ve shared with collaborators and cast members in writing and directing original musical productions for our church’s drama ministry, the St. Paul's Players (http://stpaulsplayers.webs.com/).

By July of each year, I figure out the story that we’ll be telling and rough out a script, noting the places where songs will occur. Then, I talk to my fellow composer/lyricists, John W. Henry and Frank Fusco, and divvy up the songwriting duties.

 

John W. Henry and Frank Fusco

For the most part, my numbers are standard musical comedy fare, often the first song that sets things up, some character studies, funny novelty pieces, and usually a dance. John has written our closing numbers for the last two years. He often creates songs expressing strong emotions that feature soulful and uplifting melodies. We tease Frank about being our “rocker” (he’s a member of the Thunder Pigs--check them out at http://thethunderpigs.com/), but his songs have ranged from rock to polka to mysteriously suspenseful to prayerful repentance.

John and Frank are talented guys. Equally talented is our arranger, Matthew T. Caine. Matt is the Director of Music at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church in Camden, S.C. He has his DMA in Conducting from the University of South Carolina. With a very good nature, he transcribes the melodies we sing or play for him and tries to correct us in our musical errors. Sometimes, we let him think he’s right. Actually, for the most part, we’re a pretty agreeable group and appreciate the expertise Matt brings to our proceedings.

 

Dr. Matthew T. Caine

Last year, we did a version of A Christmas Carol called Once Upon a Christmastime (again, see the January 8, 2013 blog), with a cast of almost thirty, including a large number of children and young people. This year, for the first time, we have a cast of only adults. It’s the smallest cast we’ve ever had with just eleven players.

I guess I should have expected mostly adults when I let people know that our play would be based on the Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes’ story, “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.” But, I had noticed the renewed interest among all ages in Holmes from the Robert Downey movies and the CBS and PBS series. Also, you can never be sure of the participants until you hold auditions. That’s another good reason to write your own production. You can tailor your script to the cast you have.

Watson (Jim Jarvis) and Holmes painting set

You might ask how a Sherlock Holmes story fits into a church’s drama ministry? If you haven’t read “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle,” please check it out at: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Adventure_of_the_Blue_Carbuncle.

After discovering the guilty party, Holmes releases him because “it’s the season of forgiveness.” The story has a powerful message of the possibility for redeeming a life.

 

John Arnold and Brenda Byrd

We’ve enjoyed tremendously putting together our A Sherlock Holmes Christmas. The opening night dinner theater is sold out, but if you’re in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, December 7, come to St. Paul’s at the corner of Bull and Blanding Streets for the matinee at 3:00 pm or the evening performance at 7:00 pm. No charge for an hour of entertainment that will get you in the holiday mood.

 

Susan Craft on set

Now, you may ask, what are the Tennessee connections mentioned in the title of this post? One relates back to our production from last year. The young actress portraying our Fan Scrooge, Ebenezer’s sister who comes to his school to tell him he will celebrate the holiday with family, was the delightful Emma Imholz. She had appeared in many local productions and some films. This year, she auditioned and was given the role of Fan in Dolly Parton’s version of A Christmas Carol, being presented at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Broadway World has a video featuring scenes from the Dollywood production. Our Em is in the opening and closing sequences of that video and we are so proud of her.

Please check out some of the footage of the Dollywood production with Em at: http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=626403

Emma Imholz at Dollywood

The other Tennessee connection? The talented and versatile Judy Egner of Knoxville, Tennessee. You don’t recognize the name? Perhaps you know her as Kaye George, award nominated author of several short stories and three mystery series: Imogene Duckworthy, Cressa Carraway Musical, and People of the Wind (Neanderthal), whose Fat Cat series, that she is writing as Janet Cantrell, will appear in September 2014. Visit her webpage kayegeorge.com for more information.

Kaye George

Judy/Kaye/Janet, as well as being a wonderful writer is an excellent arranger and violinist. She kindly consented to write “A Hymn to Holmes” celebrating Sherlock’s affection for the violin as our pre-show music. We are proud to present its world premiere!

Support your local drama, singing, and dancing groups! What theatrical productions do you plan to see for the holidays?