By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Tom Akers, left, as Sherlock Holmes, with Jackie Skiles as Martha, and Jason Schaad as Dr. Timothy Cratchit, try to deduce who might be the owner of a lost hat in “A Sherlock Carol,” the holiday comedy opening Nov. 13 at Richmond Hill Barn Theatre. Contributed Photo
Geneseo’s Richmond Hill Players conclude their 2025 season with “A Sherlock Carol,” a holiday comedy by Mark Shanahan.
The show will be presented Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 13-23, in the Barn Theatre at Richmond Hill Park, Geneseo.
Joe DePauw, Geneseo, directs the play.
ABOUT THE PLAY
The play is described in a press release as “a festive literary mash-up with surprises around every corner.”
Moriarity is dead and Sherlock Holmes is depressed. Without his number one adversary, what’s the point of it all? But, when a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the mysterious death of his benefactor, Ebenezer Scrooge, the game is afoot. This charming reimagining of two of the most beloved literary characters is a “Dickens” of a yuletide detective story. Six actors transform into multiple characters before the audience’s eyes in a playful, clever, and joyous holiday comedy that is “elementary” as a festive outing sure to delight audiences of all ages.
The cast features Tom Akers, Cambridge; Glenn Kluge, Jason Schaad and Jackie Skiles, all of Geneseo; Samuel Carrington, Galesburg; and Amanda Wilson, New Windsor.
The staff includes stage manager Elizabeth Shaffer, Moline; stage crew Sally Hamer, costumer Suzanne Rakestraw; light and sound designer Jennifer Kingry; light and sound operator Dana Skiles; set builder Mike Skiles, all of Geneseo; and set builder Jim Skiles, Colona.
On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows are 3 p.m. matinees with the doors opening at 2 p.m.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the Richmond Hill box office at 309-944-2244 or by visiting the website rhplayers.com.
Late seating is not permitted; no one will be admitted to the theater after the show has started.
Admission to all performances is $12.
An audio description performance will be Friday, Nov. 14. Richmond Hill also offers Assistive Listening devices (ALDS), which can be requested at the time reservations are made.
ABOUT: RICHMOND HILL PLAYERS - a non-profit community theater group presenting plays in the converted top floor of an old dairy barn in Geneseo since 1968. Approximately 100 active members are involved on and off-stage each year, with actors, directors, backstage personnel, support staffs, and audience drawn from a 75-100 -mile radius that includes cities in both Illinois and Iowa
