“Sherlock Holmes Returns or the Case of the Bloody Heart ,” starring Rob Storrs, runs at Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, N.C. from Saturday, Sept. 21 through Saturday, Oct. 5. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Regular ticket prices range from $12-$20 and can be purchased by calling 828-682-4285 or online at www.parkwayplayhouse.com.
From a press release:
Based on the legendary detective character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, Sherlock Holmes Returns is an entirely original adventure that takes place three years after the “world’s greatest detective” mysteriously returns to London after being presumed dead for three years. Immediately after Holmes’s return a wave of bizarre crimes spreads through the gas-lit streets of London with the escape of a dangerous inmate, a series of brutal murders, and the disappearance of a Transylvanian jewel, with mystical powers, known as The Bloody Heart. No one is above suspicion as Scotland Yard fails to solve the seemingly unconnected crimes, not even Holmes himself.
“Our 68th Season concludes as it began, with a world-premiere play from a Western North Carolinian” commented Parkway Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Gall. “Back in 2008, we produced another Sherlock Holmes adaptation and it was a fun, fast-paced production. This time around we have not only brought Holmes back, but we have made sure Holmes has is work cut out for him, with a foe that is familiar, bloodthirsty, and has fangs. This is perfect fall, pre-Halloween, melodramatic, fun. ”
Playwright and actor Jeff Douglas Messer began is affiliation with Parkway Playhouse in 2004 and has appeared as an actor in scores of productions over the past decade. He has also an accomplished Playwright and has penned Esley: The Life and Musical Legacy of Lesley Riddle, which had its world-premiere at Parkway Playhouse in 2009. Messer also wrote Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood and co-wrote the adaptation of Dracula both of which were presented in Parkway Playhouse’s 2011 season. His play This War is Live was recently produced in Charleston, and he completed his first screenplay. This past year, Messer became the host of his own talk show on Clear Channel’s Asheville based station, 880am The Revolution. His show, which is broadcast live, runs from 3pm-6pm Monday through Friday and is also streamed over the internet. Messer, in addition to writing Sherlock Holmes Returns will appear as the loyal Dr. Watson.
Returning to the Parkway stage as the title character is Rob Storrs, who reprises his role as Sherlock Holmes. Storrs previously played the famous detective at Parkway Playhouse in 2008. Andrew Gall also returns respectively, to the role the twisted villain Professor Moriarty.
The cast of Sherlock Holmes Returns also features Daniel Moore, Scott Keel, Trinity Smith, Doug Shaw, Logan Walden, and Mary Katherine Smith-Gall; all veterans of previous Parkway Playhouse productions.
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