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.
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.
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.
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.