Mid-Ohio Valley Players to perform Sherlock Holmes mystery

MARIETTA — Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are on the case Friday in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players virtual production from the “Sherlock Holmes” radio series, “The Case of the Dead Adventuress.”

The radio drama will be presented on Zoom at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday in the Players’ next installment of WMOVP Radio Theatre, created during the pandemic in the organization’s social distance theater.

The show is directed by Amber Smrek.

“For as long as I can remember, mysteries have been my preferred genre. I love being confronted with a problem and letting my brain run wild trying to find the solution,” she said. “And Sherlock Holmes is such a classic. But I knew when taking on this script that I wanted to bring some new experiences to the audience. Yes, watching a mystery unfold play out in front of you is fun. But, wouldn’t it be more fun to play along? That is why we have added a puzzle and riddle to the show. If the audience is able to deduce the solutions, they are entered into a raffle for a basket full of Whodunit inspired goodies.”

Viewers will notice that the group continues to make technical upgrades as it continues to learn how to use Zoom to deliver live theatre.

“This run the tech has been a whole new challenge. We tried adding a new element to the shows for a more film-like aspect. Just when you think we’ve got it all figured out, we try something new,” Becca Buck, assistant director and sound and visual design and engineer, said. “Who knew there would be such depth to Zoom theater? Especially when this whole new adventure began.”

Started as a way to bring live theater to the region when everyone and everything was locked down in quarantine, the Mid-Ohio Valley Players’ social distance theater has continued as performance venues have remained closed due to the pandemic. Not only does it bring family entertainment to viewers, but it has provided a creative outlet for actors, directors, and technicians.

Friday’s show will include veteran performers of the series and new faces to WMOVP Radio Theatre. “The Case of the Dead Adventuress” first aired in 1945.

“I love working with my regular WMOVP friends, but it’s also wonderful seeing actors like Chuck Wilcox and Madison Roe coming onboard and expanding our virtual troupe of actors,” regular David Scheimann said.

Although Gov. Mike DeWine last week announced performance venues can reopen at 15 percent capacity, the community theater group has decided to continue its social distance theater to supplement what the theater can offer with such limited capacity. WMOVP Radio Theatre will have performances on the first and third Friday of each month.

Content retrieved from: https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/community-news/2020/09/mid-ohio-valley-players-to-perform-sherlock-holmes-mystery/.