Growing up, I was more into Agatha Christie’s super sleuths, Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Nonetheless, I would find myself occasionally perusing the pages of a Holmes mystery from time to time and have always been a fan of The Final Adventure. For their current production, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre has chosen the stage adaptation of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure by Steven Dietz, based on the 1899 play by William Gillette and Sir Arthur himself.
Directed by Daniel DeVault, Charles Winton stars as the famed detective with Michael Roark as Doctor Watson, Shannon Hoppe as Irene Adler and Benjamin Jones as Professor Moriarty. Whether you’ve read only a story or two by Sir Arthur, or perhaps caught an episode of CBS’s recently-ended Elementary, chances are you’re familiar with these characters, as Watson is and always will be Sherlock Holmes’ trusted friend and right-hand-man, while Moriarty is frequently seen as the venerable detective’s arch nemesis and Adler the object of Holmes’ affection.
From the start, director DeVault perfectly presents a shroud of mystery necessary in carrying off a believable Holmes tale. I particularly enjoyed the film noir-esque way in which a couple of the story’s characters were introduced. While Watson and Holmes discuss them, the audience is treated to visual preview as they are seen in daunting silhouette behind a scrim just off-stage.
Winton is enjoyable as Holmes, playing the part of the inexplicably astute detective with a knowing sense of self and just the right amount of humor.
As for his erstwhile companion, Doctor Watson, Roark, too, is perfectly cast. Making her Chaffin’s debut, Hoppe’s Irene is initially presented as the damsel, but as story evolves, so to does her character, leading one to realize she just might be causing a bit of the distress herself. Of the performances, Hoppe’s is the most layered, but she plays is so well those layers slowly reveal themselves.
Meanwhile, Jones’ Moriarty is blissfully, entertainingly played to the max, channeling every dastardly over-the-top villain from Die Hard’s Hans Gruber to James Bond’s Dr. No. All that’s missing is the occasional evil laugh.
Also watch-worthy is Josh Kiev as the King of Bohemia, who hires Holmes to help retrieve a potentially compromising photo of himself and Irene in the days before the King is to wed, thus setting up the web of lies and deceit that evolves into the usual Holmes murder plot.
Rounding out the cast are Moriarty’s villainous compadres, Gabe Atchly as James Larrabee, Laura Proctor as Madge Larrabee and Scotty Phillips as Sid Prince.
Director DeVault and his skilled cast present a thoroughly enjoyable—if sometimes predictable—adventure filled with intrigue, plot-twists, romance and…death. Costume designer Miriam Creighton’s wardrobe, along with Joy Tilley Perryman’s period-perfect props and Kaitlin Barnett’s sound design, with DeVault also serving as lighting designer, comes together brilliantly as they bring a little classic tale of murder to the beloved dinner theatre.
Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure runs through Sunday, September 15. Thursday-Sunday. Thursday matinees begin at 12 noon (doors at 11a.m.), while Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30p.m. (doors at 5:30). Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. (with doors at noon for lunch service.
Thursday matinee tickets are $19 for show only or $27.50 for show and a Box Lunch. (Wednesday matinee will also offer the Box Lunch option). Evening show tickets are $13 for children 12 and under, $20 for youth/students and $35 for adults. Living up to their Barn Dinner Theatre name, Chaffin’s also offers a full buffet option or a la carte menu items for their evening and Sunday lunch matinee performances. Chaffin’s delicious buffet, featuring a choice of entrees (including a veggie option), and a number of side items is available for an additional (but completely worth it) $15.95, while the a la carte menu items (also quite tastily) range in price from $6.95 to $10.95, plus there’s a wide array of desert options to choose from $2.50 to $5.00. CLICK HERE to check out the menu.
Next up at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre is The Wedding Singer, starring Alex Pineiro, on stage September 19-October 19. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets or call 615.646.9977 to make reservations with the box office. To keep up with the latest from Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre, find them online at ChaffinsBarnTheatre.com, ’like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.
Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook.