MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON – APT. 2B Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON – APT. 2B presented by Human Race Theatre Company through Oct. 20th. I attended the opening Sunday matinee performance. 

Shonita Joshi as Sherlock Holmes. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

The Human Race Theatre Company in Dayton, OH opens its 2024-2025 season with MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON – APT. 2B by Kate Hamill. Summarized as “cheerfully desecrating the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle”, Holmes & Watson re-examines the stories of the world’s most famous detective with a feminist lens plus an added layer of intrigue due to its being set in 2021.

Director Heather Wilson-Bowlby along with a skilled crew of artists creates some really fantastic stage pictures. Scenic Design by Jeff Heater is exceptional with many layers that continue to surprise the audience. (Semi-spoiler alert: shows at HRTC make me gasp every time a seemingly static set breaks away in some fashion when you least expect it.) Lighting Design by Diane Fairchild is mood appropriate with fun little “Easter eggs” sprinkled throughout. Special shout-out to Costume Designer Janet G. Powell whose vision was spot on for each and every character to cross the threshold of the famous Baker Street address. HRTC does not mess around when it comes to attention to detail and I am here for it.

Holmes & Watson gives us a strong ensemble of four actors: two of whom play our titular characters and two…who play everyone else! Shonita Joshi pilots the ship as Sherlock Holmes (yes, THAT Sherlock Jones). Ms, Joshi excels as the infamous sleuth, keeping the heart of why we love this character alive as she adds her own perfectly crafted nuance. Her energy is contagious and her delivery never fails. As Sherlock’s unwilling mentee, Joan Watson, Maggie Lou Rader brings a very real dose of modern times into play. Ms. Rader is quite possibly the most “authentic” character on stage as Watson is fundamentally relatable and gives us the vibe of someone we have all met. Matthew Sierra, in his HRTC debut, wallops the myriad of characters he plays. Each one is distinctly different and he navigates his changing dialects well.

Kelly Mengelkoch as Irene Adler. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

The biggest splash, however, is made by Kelly Mengelkoch in multiple roles. Accompanied by varied physical appearances, Ms. Mengelkoch breathes discriminable life into every beloved persona she embodies. Be on the look-out for a widow she plays beautifully to almost eclipse her fantastic turn as the memorable Irene Adler. Bravx to a cast of consummate professionals!

While I will admit the script could use some editing (some of the exposition seems indulgent), this is certainly a fun take on a classic characters and their stories. There is no doubt a lot to like in this entertaining piece. If you have not made a trip to The Loft at The Human Race Theatre Company, I highly recommend it in the near future. Not only do they offer some of the most enthusiastic theatre you will see, they care about their fellow local businesses (including Rabbit Hole Books who sponsors their Parents’ Day Out program). This is truly a theatre company with a heart as well as a soul.

Click here for more information about the production.