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Theater Group Presents An Evening With Sherlock Holmes

By AMY DAVIS

Moapa Valley Progress

What does one do when one’s wife goes missing on the day of their wedding? Hopefully Sherlock Holmes (center played by Travis Daigle) and Watson (left played by Chad Calmelat) will have the answer for Mr. Milverton (right played by Kelly Kumm). PHOTO BY AMY DAVIS/Moapa Valley Progress.

It was time to solve a mystery, or rather it was time to watch Scotland Yard’s most famous detective do what he does best.

Last week, the Virgin Valley Theater Group opened its three-week running production of “An Evening with Sherlock Holmes,” written by Jules Tasca and directed by Denis Feehan, in the Mesquite Community Theater.

An Evening with Sherlock Holmes is performed in three parts, each containing a different set of characters with their own mystery and problem to be solved. There is a missing persons case, a little blackmail, and a riddle.

The cast is a mixture of seasoned actors mingled with a few first timers.
“Yes! I was so nervous,” said Kathleen Bartley who debuted in her first play as Mrs. Hudson, Holmes’ housekeeper on Thursday night for an invitation-only preview performance.
“The nerves wore off somewhat as I went along,” Bartley added with a smile, “I can only get better from here!”

Bartley recently moved from Chicago to settle in Mesquite. She decided it was finally time to get involved in theater.

Dr. Watson was played by Chad Calmelat who made his debut upon the Mesquite theater stage back in 2013 with a role in 12 Angry Men.

“This play is a totally different Sherlock Holmes,” Calmelat said. “I told my friends and family it isn’t like one they have even seen before. My favorite part is when Holmes and Watson are sitting at the dinner table together and it is obvious that, even though they are complete opposites, they are the best of friends.”

Travis Daigle plays Sherlock Holmes in the production.
“Sherlock is kind of a jerk!” Daigle said. “He just doesn’t have any patience with the rest of the world that he feels is so below him. And yet, he has a little bit of a heart to him as well.”

Daigle perfected Holmes British accent by interviewing native speakers.
“It was difficult at first but the small bit of cockney accent I got to do was the most fun,” he said.
Daigle has been a part of three other Mesquite productions. He has been hailed as a huge asset to the Virgin Valley Theater Group.

“Getting to do Sherlock was a blast,” Daigle said. “This is a great cast and the camaraderie is amazing. They call it a play for a reason, we are all just up here having fun.”

Terri Nehrenz is the veteran of the acting group, and the queen of talent. She plays a character called Evelyn Meekly that appears in the third act.

Nehrenz joined the Mesquite theater group in 2008 and has participated in every aspect of producing plays, except costuming.

“Twelve years ago I came to meet with the director to talk about volunteering to design the set,” Nehrenz said. “He talked me into auditioning for the comedy, Plaza Suit. I got on the stage, did this wonderful New York accent, got my first laugh and I was hooked!”

“An Evening With Sherlock Holmes” will be performed on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb 8 at 7 pm each night. A matinee performance will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 pm. Then the play will show again on February 14-15 at 7 pm each night.

Admission is $16. More information can be found online at mctnv.com/vvtg.

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