‘Moriarty’ brings a comedic twist of Sherlock Holmes to Meadow Brook

What may be elementary for Sherlock Holmes will keep the rest of us guessing in Meadow Brook Theatre’s production of “Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure.” It runs Oct. 4-29 at the theatre in Rochester Hills.

“Sherlock Holmes is bored and wants a new adventure,” said actor Ron Williams of Lake Orion, who plays the sleuth. “There’s a new scandal (revolving around) Irene Adler and her affair with the king of Bohemia. Sherlock Holmes is hired by the king to get back a photo and letters of correspondence between her and the king.”

The character of Adler (played by Jennifer Byrne of New York) is an American actress who was featured in Doyle’s short story, “A Scandal in Bohemia,” published in 1891. “Sherlock is fascinated by her,” Williams said. “Is she a love interest? You can debate that.”

Professor James Moriarty (played by Stephen Blackwell of Ferndale) is a criminal mastermind and adversary of Sherlock’s who first appears in “The Adventure of the Final Problem,” a story published in 1893. The Meadow Brook play features elements of both stories, Williams said.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories about the detective first appeared in print in 1887, and they have been popular ever since. “You want to root for (Sherlock),” Williams said. “He’s almost a superhero.

“Much of our modern-day forensics was created because of Conan Doyle’s writings. He (the author) was a physician. Many of the techniques that Sherlock used in the books are forensics.”

Williams described the play as giving audiences a “sense of danger. It’s very funny but touches into melodrama.”

Williams and Phil Powers of Ann Arbor, who is Holmes’ sidekick, Dr. Watson, are the play’s single roles. The other actors — Byrne, Blackwell, and Cheryl Turksi of Detroit (Daisy) — appear in multiple roles.

“Phil and I both played in ‘Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” (also written by Ludwig) at Meadow Brook a few years back,” Williams said. “All five in the cast were also in ‘Noises Off’ and we came into the rehearsal process with great trust for each other. “We were able to hit the ground running because we knew each other so well.”

“Moriarty” debuted at the Cleveland Playhouse a few months ago. “The characters are outrageous — outside of me and Watson,” Williams said. “Sherlock is unwavering, stoic, and not overly emotional. He believes things can be explained and facts matter.”

However, his relationship with Irene makes Sherlock explore his emotions and the idea of fate, the actor said.

Williams graduated from Hillsdale College with a biology degree, but had been involved in theater. He lived in New York City for 17 years and traveled in touring shows. He was in the touring cast of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and appeared in the original musical concept of “Bronx Tale” and in “Kerouac,” the musical, off-Broadway. He moved back to Michigan in 2012 and has performed in over a dozen shows at Meadow Brook.

“Moriarty” is directed by Travis W. Walter, with scenic design by Jen Price Fick, costume design by Liz Goodall, lighting design by Brian Debs, and sound design by Mike Duncan. Anthony Guest is the fight choreographer and Brittanie Nichole Sicker is the stage manager.

“A few years ago, we presented ‘Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,’ also by Ken Ludwig,” Walter said. “Our audiences loved it. Ken Ludwig’s ‘Moriarty’ is in the same class. It’s the international mystery you expect from Sherlock Holmes, but with a comedic twist that will have you laughing while you’re trying to guess what happens next.”