Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery is Fun and Interesting to See

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Karen Nowosad
Christian Pedersen as Sherlock Holmes and Brandon Jones as Dr. John Watson.
Photo by Avery Brunkus.

Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey – A Review

For people who enjoy the challenge of figuring out a mystery, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) has just the show for you. Now playing through Augsut 2, 2026 on their main stage in Madison is Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. This play is based upon one of the most notorious mysteries in the Sherlock Holmes series, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Conan Doyle.

Sherlock Holmes has long been regarded as a master mystery solver. This fictional character has a knack for keen observations that help him solve mysteries. Working with Holmes is his associate, Dr. Watson, who assists him in solving these mysteries.Together, the pair make an unstoppable force. They are popular with audiences and they evolve constantly as new approaches to Doyle’s work come about. That is what happens with this play. Ludwig is renowned for his work as a playwright specializing in comedy treatments. So what happens with this play is Ludwig takes the tale, and puts his own spin on it.

The elements of whodunit are presented with a great deal of humor. Under the direction of Brian B. Crowe, the play includes a cast of five to play a lot of different roles, many costume changes, and many well designed staging techniques to enhance the story.

This play will tickle your funny bone but also keep you in suspense until the end where a most unusual creature is revealed. Director Crowe takes the actors’ work and enhances the tale as it is told with some outstanding work from the creatives including lighting, costumes, sound, and scenic design.

Christian Pedersen as Sherlock Holmes, Brandon Jones as Dr. John Watson, Nicholas
Wilder as Dr. Mortimer. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

The Story of Baskerville with Strange Suspicions

The original Hound of the Baskervilles is regarded as the greatest and most dangerous cases in the history of the careers of Holmes and Watson. Ken Ludwig’s version follows much of the story with different inflections. Here, the pair are called in after Sir Charles Baskerville dies an unexpected death. A gruesome sound echoes as it takes place. Holmes and Watson learn about the legend of a deadly curse. There is also suspicion of the existence of an controllable hound that roams the area.

The family is concerned because Sir Henry Baskerville is the heir to Sir Charles. Plans for his arrival are underway. Yet when he arrives, we get a surprise. Rather than a British gentleman, we get a loud man from Texas who talks with the Texas accent and is quite different from the family bringing in humorous moments.

Oh Yes, Those Moors

The setting for the play is in London and Devonshire and the time is late 1890s.

Warnings not to go up to the moors are given. The lighting plays an integral part is making the moors look like a scary place to be. The distinctive orange color of the moon adds a twinge of uncertainty to scenes in the evening. Additional lighting enhancement to create a foggy look appears at other times.

David Foubert as Sir Henry Baskerville and Brandon Jones as Dr. John Watson. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

And so many characters start to appear including Beryl and her brother. Beryl puts the moves on newly arrived Sir Henry. He’s not quite sure what to think. There are other hilarious characters that bring in new aspects of solving the crime such as a wild butterfly collector, a pair of young English boys, and a desk clerk. In all, there are about 40 characters who appear in and out and the pace keeps up just fine with their arrivals.

Janiah-Camile François as Miss Stapleton and David Foubert as Sir Henry Baskerville. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

Holmes and Watson work to solve the case. Finally the answer appears in the form of what we would have to call a supernatural creature, or not! The scene where this mysterious creature appears also uses some intense scenic design including lighting and sound that help bring it to life. And it does bring the play to an outstanding conclusion with everything solved.

A Hard Working Cast

The talented cast includes Christian Pedersen as Sherlock Holmes and Brandon Jones as Dr. John Watson. David Foubert as Actor Two, Janiah-Camile Francois as Actress One, and Nicholas Wilder as Actor One round out the cast. This group portray many colorful characters throughout the course of the mystery. Watch the stage carefully because one second you will see one of these three playing one character and then do a quick change, even of a hat, to portray another.

Applause for the Creatives

The creative team is led by Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe. Scenic design is by Dick Block, costume design by Austin Blake Conlee, lighting design by Tony Galaska, sound design by Germán Martinez, fight direction by Doug West, and vocal coaching by Vivian Majkowski. Alison Cote serves as Production Stage Manager.

Special Events

  • Know-the-Show Series & Closed Captioning: Thursday, July 23rd starting at 6:45 p.m. This includes a pre-show talk with the artistic team about the playwright and work. Closed Captioning provided at this performance by Globetitles.
  • Hobnob & Hang: Friday, July 24th following the performance – This event provides a chance to mix and mingle with fellow theater lovers after the show; bites and cash bar available.
  • Symposium Series #2: Saturday, July 25th following matinee performance – A lively post-show chat with the cast and artistic team
  • Library Day: Wednesday, July 29th starting at 1:00 p.m. Let the library come to you! Peruse a wide selection of books and check out the most interesting ones, right in the lobby of the Theatre. This event is In partnership with the Main Library Alliance.
  • Sensory Seminar & Audio Described Performance: Wednesday, July 29th starting at 1:15 p.m. This includes a pre-show experience for Blind/low-vision patrons. Audio Description provided at this performance.
  • Baker Street Bake Shoppe: Friday, July 31st starting at 6:30 p.m. A pre-show gathering open to patrons; bites and cash bar available.
  • Backstage Tour: Saturday, August 1st starting at 11:30 a.m. Take a peek behind-the-scenes of the production at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre.
  • Symposium Series #3: Saturday, August 1st following matinee performance. A lively post-show chat with the cast and artistic team.

To See the Play

Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery runs now through August 2 at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. The Theatre is located at
36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ.

Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (973) 408-5600 or purchasing on their website at ShakespeareNJ.org.

In addition to offering an unforgettable summer adventure for audiences of all ages, Baskerville is the featured production for the Theatre’s Free Tix for Kids program. Free tickets for children ages 17 and under are available with the purchase of any eligible ticket (Regular, Senior, $35 Under 35, and Member tickets). Up to four free tickets per order. The offer cannot be combined with other discounts and is available exclusively for performances of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. The program, generously sponsored by the Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, reflects The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to making live theater accessible and affordable for families.

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‘The Vienna Lessons’ Imagines Beethoven and Mozart Working Together

Posted on June 20, 2026 by Karen Nowosad
Quentin Chisholm as Beethoven, Sandy Clancy as Constanze Mozart, and Jesse Kodama as Mozart = Photo credit Andrea Phox

The Vienna Lessons at New Jersey Repertory Company – A Review

The New Jersey Repertory Company is previewing a new play with a unique slant to it. The Vienna Lessons is set in 1787 and 1797 Vienna. It is an imagined play about what might have happened if Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven had met and spent time together. The play, written by Jack Canfora, is directed by Evan Bergman. It incorporates original music written by Jeremiah Bornfield. It also features some of the great works of each of the composers.

The story is told through dialog that is thoughtfully written with a combination of comedy and drama. It is delivered by a cast of three people who do a superb job of bringing their characters to life. The cast includes Quentin Chisholm as Beethoven, Sandy Clancy as Constanze Mozart, and Jesse Kodama as Mozart.

Dialog exchanges bring out issues that each of the composers had growing up. Beethoven’s father was hard on him. Mozart’s father had to deal with his prodigy son. He also was hard on him at times. But the dialog advances as the story unfolds to their present time where an imagined collaboration evolves. This collaboration would have been interesting to see actually happen as both of these men were genius composers of their time.

Overall the play is a joy to see particularly if you enjoy classical music. It is fun to watch each of the composers compliment each other but also seek to advance themselves. The emergence of Constanze Mozart is a study of a woman ahead of her time as she helps keep Mozart from losing his home.

Beethoven Seeks out Mozart

As the play/musical begins, it is 1787. Mozart has emerged from the child prodigy phrase of his life. He has achieved success with his many compositions. However, he is struggling financially. This play assesses his age as 31. He is married to Constanze who is a woman with a practical head on her shoulders. Mozart wants to achieve success for many reasons especially to please his wife.

Beethoven is depicted as 16 years old. Although he is younger than Mozart, the play shows him to be serious and very confident especially for his young age. His reason for meeting Mozart is to hire him as a teacher. He also thinks Mozart is the greatest composer in Vienna.

In an early scene, he plays a piece of music he has composed. It is almost as if he is auditioning to become Mozart’s pupil. The discussion between the two men brings out a lot of their own thinking and it shows how there are similarities but differences as well. Mozart agrees to take Beethoven on twice a week with lessons held in his home. He can certainly use the money that Beethoven will pay him for lessons.

Quentin Chisholm as Beethoven,and Jesse odama as Mozart = Photo credit Andrea Phox

As their work continues, Mozart continues to have financial problems. Guided by his wife, he seeks to eliminate them. It reaches a point where they might be thrown out of their living quarters.

The play provides a way to look at these two genius composers and see what they may have been like in their everyday lives.

Epilogue 1797

This short final piece occurs after Mozart’s much too early death at 35 years old. Constanze visits Beethoven in his apartment in Vienna. He offers his condolences to her as he does miss Mozart. She is surviving fairly well as evidenced by the cakes she has purchased for Beethoven that she brings with her.

However, the most critical part of the visit occurs when Constanze recognizes that Beethoven is starting to loose his hearing. In a remarkable use of sound staging, the audience gets to experience what he might have had going on with his hearing loss. The loss was gradual but this moment gives a glimpse of what is to come for him.

Staging Techniques Enhance the Story of The Vienna Lessons

The creative team does remarkable work on this show. It starts with the stage placement of the all important piano. Most times when a piano is used on stage, it is set sideways allowing the audience to see the hand movements of the pianist. For The Vienna Lessons, the piano is turned so that the man seated to play has the entire piano in front of him. You can see motion taking place but it is not the actor playing. Instead, music is used so that you have the feel of actual live music being played.

As mentioned above, one of the most effective sound techniques is in the Epilogue when Beethoven’s hearing loss becomes more apparent. The audience experiences what sounds he might be hearing as a unique use of stage equipment simulates it. This is definitely one of the most stirring moments in the show.

The music plays at various points in the play which is effective in carrying out the theme of the two composers working together. Credit goes to Jeremiah Bornfield for Original Music. Sound design credit goes to Nick Simone.

Scenic design credit goes to Jessica Parks. Patricia E. Doherty handles costume design, and lighting design credit goes to Jill Nagel. Stage Manager for the show is Rose Riccardi.

Go to See The Vienna Lessons

The Vienna Lessons continues its run at the New Jersey Repertory Company through June 28, 2026 at 179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Box Office or on the NJ Rep website.

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‘Sizwe Banzi is Dead’ An Outstanding Production at Crossroads Theatre

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Karen Nowosad
A scene from Sizwe Banzi is Dead – photo courtesy of Crossroads Theatre Company

Sizwe Banzi is Dead at Crossroads Theatre Company- Review

In 1934, South Africa became a sovereign nation within the British commonwealth. It was controlled politically, socially, and economically by its minority white population. From 1948 -1994, apartheid, an Afrikaans term that translates into “separateness,” ruled Black South Africans. Apartheid created a system of vast inequality even going as far as not allowing the Blacks full citizenship. (information credit to“Apartheid in South Africa”)

The play Sizwe Banzi is Dead recently ran at New Brunswick’s Crossroads Theatre. The play deals with apartheid and the effects felt by two men who lived under the system. It was written by Athol Fugard, in collaboration with actors John Kani and Winston Ntshona premiering in Cape Town, South Africa in 1972. Later, it opened in London and won the 1974 Theatre Critics Award for Best Play. It opened on Broadway in November 1974 where it earned Tony Awards for both Kani and Ntshona. Additionally it was nominated for Best Play.

Elements that Made this Play Outstanding at Crossroads

Directed by Ricardo Khan, the recent production of Sizwe Banzi is Dead at Crossroads was outstanding. There were a number of reasons why this superlative fits their production.

The script has a format that is well written and filled with stories that allow the audience to better understand what life was like for those who were victims of the apartheid system. The use of the storytelling technique allows the audience to feel more a part of the story. At times, the actors break the fourth wall. This technique brings the audience closer to the action and themes of the play. Under Ricardo Khan’s direction, staging and lighting enhance the movement of the play. Unique touches such as old photos displayed on stage give glimpses of people’s lives.

When using a script filled with storytelling, good acting is a must. In this production, you not only get superb acting but you had two actors who gave impactful performances.Their manner of presenting to the audience was critical to the success of this production. Atandwa Kani played the roles of Buntu and Styles. The second character, Sizwe Banzi, was played by Kelcey L. Watson. It is through the performances of these two actors that the injustices of the system are brought to light in a most informative, interesting and dramatic manner. Their presence on stage drew the audience in making us care about what happened to them.

Stories that Tell the Tale of Apartheid

As the play begins, the two characters, Styles and Sizwe Banzi, are both at different parts of their lives. The play opens with Styles in his photography studio. His first set of stories explain how he became a photographer. One can tell that he is a man who keeps a close watch on what is happening in his world because he announces that he reads the newspaper every day. He presents a humorous antidote as he reads to the audience that “when a President does it, it is not illegal” and then announces Richard Nixon’s name! But this ritual of reading the daily news is important to him as he continues to gain knowledge of how to maneuver in his world.

He tells the audience about a job he previously held in the Ford Motor Company Plant in Port Elizabeth. Styles talks about the day Henry Ford II was scheduled to visit and all that had to be done to the plant for his visit. Through the story, one realizes how poor the conditions were that workers were forced to endure. There is a great effort to cover up all kinds of things particularly in the areas of safety and cleanliness. Styles had great hope for changes to be made after Ford’s visit. But he ends up very disappointed as nothing changes. It is then that he decides to leave the plant and become a photographer.

His work as a photographer gives him more of a sense of purpose. He can capture important moments in people’s lives by taking pictures of them. A clever stage technique is used to display some of the photos on the back wall of the stage. Styles also tells stories about people he has photographed and what value the photos hold for them.

Enter Sizwe Banzi

The second character, Sizwe Banzi, comes to Styles’ photography studio. He wants a picture taken so that he can include it in a letter to his wife. She lives separate from him and he is trying to reunite them. Sizwe is failing to keep within the legal bounds of the system. Since he has not found employment, the authorities order him to leave Port Elizabeth in three days. Under apartheid, he has no say in this decision. He has to do something.

While out for an evening with his friend, Buntu, a dead body is found in an alley. Buntu convinces Sizwe not to report it but rather to take the dead person’s book. These books are an important part of life under apartheid . It has the credentials Sizwe needs to stay and continue his job search. But he must destroy his own book which essentially makes him dead. This brings about one of the most stirring moments in the play as Sizwe speaks to the audience about losing his identity. He questions how much humanity one can maintain in a system such as the one he is living under. It is indeed a very stirring moment in the play.

Final Thoughts

Although Apartheid ended in 1994, Sizwe Banzi is Dead remains an important play to see and understand. The focus on the history it presents is important. The rights of human beings were deeply wounded and one should not forget or allow this to happen ever again. This is one of the great things that live theater does. Seeing a play which tells a story as important as this one can impact people in a most positive way.

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