A WAY TO GOOSE UP YOUR HOLIDAYS
There’s not much of a mystery in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose. Michael Menendian and John Weagly’s adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” stays faithful to the source material, an unusually light tale involving the consulting detective. There’s no murder’”though there is some goose death’”no big reveal of a hidden motive or other plot twist, and there isn’t even a particularly nefarious villain. But Raven Theatre’s production makes up for the lack of a deep plot by filling the tale with plenty of whimsy and holiday cheer.
While he’s the title character, Holmes (Tyler Rich) is overshadowed by his sidekick Dr. John Watson (Darren Hill). Rich just doesn’t bring much to the famous role while Hill is excellent in Watson’s role as a narrator. Director Michael Menendian gets plenty of mileage out of a running gag where Watson describes something only to have it immediately played out on stage. Hill’s deadpan delivery keeps that repetition from growing stale.
Another great gag is the use of sound effects, provided by music director George Goetschel, Conor Clark and Charlotte Ostrow from a corner of the stage. Along with Goetschel’s piano, they use bubble wrap, wind chimes, a bucket of water and other tools to bring to life the sights and sounds Watson describes, whether it’s a crackling fire, ice on a window or a plumber fixing a clogged toilet.
Bryan Dawidowicz also offers a beautifully over-the-top performance as the desperate thief James Ryder, especially when he’s quite literally acting out Watson’s narrative as he looks between the doctor and the consulting detective with a highly exaggerated mix of “hope and fear.”
The production starts off with an impressive performance of “Jingle Bells” led by Goetschel, who gleefully taps out tunes on the piano and at one point plays two different horns at once. Joined by a mix of brass and percussion from the ensemble, the result is an extremely catchy take on the song that I heard plenty of audience members humming as they left the theater. Other enthusiastically performed carols punctuate the show, covering set changes and offering a post curtain-call sing-along.
Clocking in at just an hour without intermission, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose never has any time to lag, making it particularly well-suited for families. But theater fans of any age can find a light diversion and surprisingly heart-warming tale perfect for a quick holiday outing.
photos by Dean La Prairie
Sherlock Holmes
and the Case of the Christmas Goose
Raven Theatre’s East Stage, 6157 N. Clark
scheduled to end on December 29, 2013
for tickets, call 773-338-2177 or visit www.raventheatre.com
for info on this and other Chicago Theater,
visit http://www.TheatreinChicago.com
