Wolford's 'Sherlock' to premiere at the Vic

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Victorian Players will present the world premiere of “Sherlock Holmes and the House of Dead Lords,” written by local playwright and actor David Wolford.

The play, which opens Friday and runs for three weekends, is the culmination of more than two years of writing, staged readings and tweaking the script by Wolford and the Victorian. It also marks the third Sherlock Holmes mystery at the Victorian in as many years.

Wolford will play the role of the super sleuth Holmes, as he has done in the previous two productions. Holmes’ sidekick, Watson, will be played by Brian Lee, who also has played the part before at the Vic.

Don Wolford — the playwright’s 16-year-old son — is making his directorial debut with the play. He is being assisted by Sam Luptak Jr., who helmed the previous two Sherlock shows.

“House of Dead Lords” centers on the murder of a lord, at the House of Lords, and leads Holmes to the earliest days of the London movie scene as he investigates the crime.

Also featured are Alan McCreary as Inspector Lestrade, Holmes’ rival at Scotland Yard; Chuck Kettering as a lord who brings Holmes into the case; Abby Cull as a secretary who vies for Holmes’ romantic attention; and Jenna Cintavey, Donnette Bishop, Stephen Kountz, Nick Lyras, Gerri Jenkins, Gary Deckant, Roan Thomas and Mike Brady.

Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and also March 20, 21, 27 and 28; and 2 p.m. Sunday and March 22 and 29. Tickets are $12 ($9 for seniors and students). For reservations, call 330-746-5455. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave.