The Community Players Present Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt. 2B In Concord

CONCORD, NH — The Community Players of Concord will present Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt. 2B from Feb. 13 to 15 at the Concord City Auditorium.

The play, written by Kate Hamill, is a mystery comedy based on the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. The production centers on modern-day roommates Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson as they investigate a series of mysteries while confronting a shared adversary.

The show is directed by Vicky Sandin, who previously directed “The Odd Couple — Female Version” and “Pride and Prejudice” for the Community Players.

“I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I was a teen, and Kate Hamill's take on the iconic character honors the original text by planting some nuggets from Conan Doyle's stories in her script while maintaining Sherlock’s basic character and deductive genius,” Sandin said. “What's different? Sherlock is a woman, and so is her roommate, Dr. Joan Watson. Oh, and it’s 2021.”

Sandin said the production highlights the chemistry between the two lead characters.

“The two leads — Suzanne Watts as Holmes and Julia Kehr as Watson — layer these characters with comic timing and a humanity that is difficult to achieve in a comedy,” she said.

Watts has previously appeared in “Gods of Comedy” and “The 39 Steps,” while Kehr has appeared in “Pride and Prejudice” and “The 39 Steps.” The cast also includes Travis Laughlin, Heather MacFadden, Linda Pilla, Karen Braz, and Griffin Stuart.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Concord City Auditorium at 2 Prince St.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for juniors and seniors, and $18 with the purchase of a two- or three-show subscription. Tickets are available online at communityplayersofconcord.org. The box office opens 90 minutes before each performance.

Merrimack County Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Community Players’ 98th season. Nathan Wechsler Accountants and Business Advisors is the show sponsor for Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt. 2B.

Caption: Right, Joan Watson (Julia Kehr, right) introduces detective Sherlock Holmes (Suzanne Watts, left) to the brave new world of the Internet in “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt. 2B.” Upper left: Sherlock Holmes (Watts, center) pushes overeager Inspector Lestrade (Travis Laughlin, left) aside as suspect Mrs. Drebber (Karen Braz) appears at the door of Apt. 2B. Lower left: Heather MacFadden portrays the mysterious fatale Irene Adler.