Great cast makes for an entertaining 'Holmes'

Directors will often say that casting is everything. Put the right actors in place and your work is 90 percent done. If that is the case, director Peter Moore scores at least a 90 for his production of "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure," which opened Friday at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul.

As Dr. Watson might say, smacking his forehead: "It's so absurdly simple!" Let Steve Hendrickson glide into the rangy and complex mien of the world's greatest detective. Put Bob Davis to work as the proper and humble Watson, and let James Cada assume the menacing visage of Dr. Moriarty. Once these decisions were made, Moore needed only to dot the i's and cross the t's with strong supporting players. Elementary, my dear boy.

Playwright Steven Dietz adapted "Final Adventure" from an 1899 play by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle. It's typical Holmes, a shaggy-dog yarn in which the sleuth puzzles through clues with calculated reason and observation. In this tale, though, romance enters in the voice and person of an opera singer (Virginia Burke) who knocks Holmes off kilter with the potent toxin of passion. More than beautiful, she seems an intellectual match, which only heightens the attraction.

The plot is almost dreadfully simple. The king of Bohemia (E.J. Subkoviak) has reason to believe that a compromising photo of himself and the opera singer will surface on the day of his wedding to a Scandinavian princess. Jim Rockford wouldn't even break a sweat on this case, but nothing is so plain with Holmes. After twists and turns, we find Moriarty is involved, hoping to blackmail the king.

Moore understands that it's less important what happens than how it happens. He keeps a brisk pace as his actors move about Rick Polonek's flexible and well-appointed set. Davis' avuncular Watson narrates the story, his physician's professional remove not unaffected by his admiration for Holmes. Hendrickson brings alive the great man's razor mind and insatiable appetite for challenge. Cada, his grim jowls and funereal eyes set on "glower" gives Moriarty a venal affect.

While these three keep the play's flywheel thrumming, Subkoviak and Burke provide great counterparts. Subkoviak's king is delightful, a big briny slab of sauerbraten. Burke is smartly appealing. John Middleton and Cheryl Willis portray a hapless criminal brother and sister with just-right sensibilities.

Moore has a fun, intriguing, well-acted show here. Nothing taxing or brilliant. Just thoroughly enjoyable.

Graydon Royce • 612-673-7299