LHS Drama Club's Fall Dinner Theater
The Lincoln High School Drama Club, led by Gretchen Weinrich, hosted the fall dinner theater in the commons Friday and Saturday, November 17th and 18th. The play, titled “The Great Grandson of Sherlock Holmes,” by Bill Majeski, takes place in 1940s San Francisco. Anyone who has read the classic Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would have noticed similarities in characterization, dialogue, and plot. However, the play escalates the comedy, which makes it mirror the 1985 film rendition of Clue- a movie that brings the board game to life.
It begins in Mr. Sherwood Holmes’ office. Sherwood Holmes (played by David Miller) is a private eye following in the footsteps of his grandfather, the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Just like the old stories, the play features murder, mystery, and fast-paced banter between Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson’s grandson, also named Dr. Watson (played by Alex Nomeland). Also, similar to the original Sherlock Holmes, is the overshadowing of the notorious Moriarty, more on this later.
The play largely revolves around a case brought to Mr. Holmes by Meg Baker (played by Angel Cullen) who works at Creastley Mansion. She tells Holmes that she fears for the safety of her employer, Harris Creastley (played by Elijah Speas) after he receives a threatening letter. Ms. Baker requests his presence at the mansion in order to ensure nothing happens to Mr. Creastely. Holmes decides to take the case.
Later, at Creastly Mansion, Holmes meets the rest of the people in the mansion. He encounters the sarcastic butler, McTorg (played by Ashton Comstock), the cook named Dinah (played by Kinzie Homme) who is convinced that something is wrong with her health, Hilary Creastely (played by Faith Dvergsten), the unemotional sister of Harris, Laverne Lovejoy (played by Jennifer Nehring), a fitting name as she has her eye on Dr. Watson the entire play, Trixie Bender (played by Sadie Fish), and the old and cranky Amanda Weedler (played by Grace Brickson). Of course, nothing goes according to plan and Mr. Creastley is poisoned. Suddenly, the word “people” changes to “suspects”.
Through a confusing, seemingly fruitless, and often comical investigation, Mr. Holmes solves the case (of course). It turns out, Meg Baker was behind all of it. Her motivation: to uphold the name of her grandfather, Moriarty, and ruin Holmes’ reputation. Cue gasps from the audience.
The Drama Club students did an incredible job. The play was well acted, hilarious, and thoroughly enjoyable. A special shoutout to David Miller who had to remember many tough and long-winded lines, and Grace Brickson who had the entire commons laughing with her impersonation of the old and bitter Amanda Weedler. Truly, all of the performances were memorable. There wasn’t a dull moment in the play- just ask anyone who was in the audience.
Here, is a short clip from one of the earlier scenes in the play.
