Marist School’s “Baskerville”: Anything But Elementary

Directed by Fine Arts Chair Mr. Eric McNaughton ’90, “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Story” delivered another sensational theatrical experience for our community, courtesy of our dedicated fine arts faculty and students. From the beginning, the audience was captivated as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson embarked on their mission to unravel the mystery of the Baskerville curse. The plot was rich with clever clues, disguised characters, and enough humor to keep the audience laughing.

One notable aspect of this production was the versatility of the actors. With over 40 characters to portray, Marist theater students showcased their talent and range brilliantly. Each persona was imbued with distinct mannerisms, accents, and quirks, making it a joy to see every new character on stage.

The technical aspects of the play were equally impressive. The use of innovative set design, particularly the clever incorporation of the students themselves as props, added compelling visual depth to the production. The use of displays and backlighting for setting transitions was ingenious, seamlessly guiding the audience from scene to scene. It called to mind the turning of the pages of a novel, with the scene changes resembling the shifts between paragraphs in a book, a feeling audience member Josh Trammell described as feeling, “like I was watching a Sherlock Holmes book being read.”

Mr. McNaughton noted that, “The one thing that set this production aside from previous Marist shows is that it was the first to use projections to create the scenic world of the play. This telling of the ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ has adapted the original story into a farce—and farces move very quickly. We had to do something that allowed us to move instantly from 221-B Baker Street to Holmes’ box at the opera or to the train platform at Paddington Station, to name a few. Theater Technical Director Mrs. Anna Lee and I determined that using projections was the best way to portray these locations while keeping up with the pace required by a good farce. We also decided to unify all the visual elements to look as if they all were derived from the drawings in a Victorian novel. Several of our visual locations were created with the use of artificial intelligence. When a fictional location from the novel was required, Mrs. Lee plugged some prompts into a program that provided an image in the closest proximity to the described location.”

The result was astonishing. Marist Special Events Coordinator Abigail Collins raved, “It was an incredible display of talent. From the actors to the audio engineers, lighting technicians, and stagehands, it all felt very advanced—something you would see in a professional theater production!”

Daniel Morrison ’13, Marist’s alumni engagement coordinator, confessed, “I didn't attend any plays or musicals when I was a student here at Marist. After watching ‘Baskerville,’ I regret it. The students did an incredible job, and I will definitely be in attendance at future plays and musicals.”

Marist School 's production of "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Story" was a triumph on all fronts. It showcased the immense talent of the young actors, the creative skill of the production team, and a deep commitment to bringing this classic tale to life. Bravo to the Marist faculty, cast, and crew for delivering an unforgettable evening of theater.

Mark your calendars for upcoming fall fine arts events:

View photos from "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Story".

View photos from the Blue and Gold Foundations Fall Chorus Concert.