42nd Street Moon will launch its 24th season with the West Coast premiere of the newly revised 1965 musical Baker Street. This mysterious and enchanting trip to the world of Sherlock Holmes plays November 5-20 at the Eureka Theatre in San Francisco with previews November 2-4. Baker Street also marks the inaugural production under the new leadership of Executive Directors Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, following the retirement of Founding Artistic Director Gregory MacKellan. Tickets range from $28 to $75 and can be purchased through the Box Office at (415) 255-8205 or online atwww.42ndstmoon.org.
42nd Street Moon is honored to be working with Jerome Coopersmith, the original author and conceiver of Baker Street. Mr. Coopersmith has been updating the script with director/choreographer Cindy Goldfield for almost a year. When asked about the revival, Mr. Coopersmith said, "I'm thrilled that my musical is currently being revived in San Francisco. Its production on Broadway was an important part of my life, one that anchored my career in dramatic writing. I had written television scripts, but receiving a Tony Award nomination for Baker Street that led to my becoming a writer for America's top mystery shows such as "Hawaii 5-0", "Streets of San Francisco", and "Spenser for Hire."
Compersmith shares his thoughts on the birth of Baker Street: "Why did it happen? I guess because I'd been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since childhood, and one day I lucked-out with the idea of presenting the great detective in a way no one had presented him before - as a character in a musical mystery along with the evil Professor Moriarty, the brilliant and elusive Irene Adler (already conceived as a singer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) and the ragged street urchins called the Baker Street Irregulars who helped Holmes in many of his adventures."
Cindy Goldfield signed on to direct the moment MacKellan asked. "As a huge fan of the Victorian and early Edwardian eras, it was an absolute 'yes' to get a chance to play with a musical set in this time period. Although I hadn't been a huge Sherlock aficionado prior to beginning research on this project, I am both thrilled and amused at how thoroughly the character has permeated our culture. Holmes has been a continuous hit since his creation, and he was the first fictional character that fans really took ownership of - after Doyle tried to kill him off, they refused to accept his death and wrote their own Holmes stories. By combining the best bits from the original script with tweaks from the 2001 York production of the show as well as revisions Jerry and I have come up with, I hope to bring Baker Streetto life with heart, intelligence and fun intrigue!"
The Team
Principals: Michael Monagle (Sherlock Holmes), Dan Seda (Watson), Abby Haug (Irene Adler), Michael Barrett Austin (Moriarty), Scott Maraj (Inspector Lestrade), Andrew Mondello (Wiggins), Stephanie Prentice (Mrs. Hudson) and
Lindsey Schmeiltzer (Daisy)
Baker Street Irregulars (Ensemble): Jesse Cortez, Steve Vaught, Tobiah Richkind, Alison Quin
Director/Choreographer: Cindy Goldfield
Music Director: Dave Dobrusky
Costume Designer: Thom Venegoni
Set/Light Designer: Kevin Landesman
Properties Designer: Devon LaBelle
Projection Illustrator: Amy O'Hanlon
When You Go
WHAT: 42nd Street Moon's production of Baker Street
WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17, 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, 11 and 18, 6 p.m. on Nov. 5, 12 and 19, 3 p.m. on Nov. 6, 13 and 16. Special Family Matinee, 1pm on Nov. 12.
WHERE: Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours, 15 minutes
TICKETS: www.42ndstmoon.org, (415) 255-8205
About 42nd Street Moon
42nd Street Moon celebrates and preserves the art and spirit of the American Musical Theatre. We contribute to its evolution and continuing vitality by presenting intimately produced performances of classic and rarely performed musical works. Through our productions, educational programs, and community outreach, we are committed to increasing the awareness and appreciation of the rich heritage and cultural perspective of the musical theatre and its vast influence on the world stage.
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