CSC Announces an Encore Run of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's smash hit, critically acclaimed production of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles" adapted by Steve Canny and John Nicholson returns to their stage this June for an encore run of performances. The production this past summer was a sold-out smash with audiences lining up for the waiting list every night. The three-man cast of Jeremy Dubin (Sherlock), Nicholas Rose (Watson) and Brent Vimtrup (Baskerville) will return to reprise their roles led by their original director, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney. Critics said that "Haney knows how to squeeze every ounce of entertainment out of a witty, laugh-inducing script." Critics also called CSC's "silly 'Baskervilles' a delightful romp" and said that "the able three actors assembled… know their way around slapstick and shtick" and "all three actors excel with the script's verbal humor."

The legendary detective Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Dubin) and his assistant Dr. Watson (Nicholas Rose) are on the job to investigate the mysterious case of the "hound of hell" that stalks the moors and seems to have it in for the last remaining Baskerville family member (Brent Vimtrup). This fast-paced farcical adaptation of the classic novel is performed by three actors tackling dozens of roles. Physical humor and visual gags make this production a laugh out loud treat. Audiences will watch misstep after misstep to see if the questionably courageous detective and his bumbling man can manage to survive the mystery of Baskerville Hall. The game is afoot in this encore presentation of this thrilling adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles"!

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" received its regional premiere here in Cincinnati with a sold-out run at CSC in July 2012. Before the production enjoyed a sold-out run here in town, it also enjoyed a stellar run at the Duchess Theatre in London's West-End. The Daily Telegraph said that "theatre doesn't come much sillier than… this wonderfully barking spoof." The Independent said that the play is "packed with physical inventiveness…the gags…come thick and fast." The 3-man production is "pure comic bliss…reminiscent of the Marx Brothers" says The Stage.

CSC is pleased to welcome back Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Associate Artistic Director, Michael Evan Haney, to the director's chair for "The Hound of the Baskervilles". This was his directorial debut at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Recent highlights from his long directorial tenure at Cincinnati Playhouse include "Speaking in Tongues" (2012), "As You Like It" (2011), "Over the Tavern" (2011), "The Understudy" (2010), "The History of Invulnerability" (2010), "Sleuth" (2009), "Blackbird" (2009), "Love Song" (2008), "Around the World in 80 Days" (2008), "Crime and Punishment" (2008), "Reckless" (2007), "Witness for the Prosecution" (2006), "The Clean House" (2006) and "A Christmas Carol" (1993-2011). Mr. Haney also directed the off-Broadway production of "Around the World in 80 Days" for the Irish Repertory Theatre. As the artistic director and the Allenberry Playhouse he helmed more than 30 plays including "Bus Stop", "Shirley Valentine", "Love Letters" (with Shirley Jones), "Crimes of the Heart", "The Secret Garden" and "Gypsy".

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Jeremy Dubin, Nicholas Rose and Brent Vimtrup. CSC Artistic Associate Jeremy Dubin is in his 13th season with the company. Audiences have delighted in many of Mr. Dubin's comedic performances including this past season as Costard in "Love's Labour's Lost", The Common Man and narrator of "A Man for All Seasons" and "Henry VIII: All is True" as well as in Season 17 as Launce in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona", which brought houses down nightly. He is currently directing "Titus Andronicus" opening in October. Nicholas Rose, in his 16th season with the company, has been featured as Bob Ewell in "To Kill a Mockingbird" as well as the upcoming "Titus Andronicus" in the title role. He was also in the wildly humorous production of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)". He has been featured at CSC this past season as the title role in "Macbeth" as well as Thomas Cromwell in "A Man for All Seasons" and "Henry VIII: All is True". Brent Vimtrup is in his 2nd season with the company. His debut last season included comedic roles in "Bedroom Farce", "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Sense & Sensibility" as well as critically acclaimed roles in "The Grapes of Wrath" as Noah Joad and in "A Man for All Seasons" and "Henry VIII: All is True" as the Duke of Norfolk. He was last seen on CSC's stage as Mr. Gilmer and Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird". The design team includes the return of Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer Andrew Hungerford and Sound Designer Doug Borntrager. CSC also welcomes Denise Watkins as costume designer for this production.

More Articles by This Author...