Photo by Joel Koyama

Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher was visiting with Bain Boehlke at the Jungle Theater farewell party for the departing artistic director. So apparently he has all his lines learned down pat for "Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders," which continues this week at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul.

Hatcher wrote the play and will play the title role this week, subbing for actor Steven Hendrickson, who had a medical emergency last Friday – which was to be opening night. Director Peter Moore had to step in (Park Square does not employ understudies) and carried a script on stage last weekend. Hatcher, as playwright, can just make up lines if he should suffer a temporary memory lapse on stage. Just kidding.

"We're going away from the gaunt Sherlock look," Hatcher quipped on Monday. Asked ab

out Hendrickson, who was hospitalized for several days, Hatcher said he has heard that maybe Sunday will mark the actor's return; for sure, Hendrickson will be back next week.

Hendrickson has become a very popular Sherlock in several Park Square summer shows featuring the famous detective. Hatcher is no stranger to the stage though this does mark his Park Square debut. He adapted the script from a novel by St. Paul writer Larry Millett.

"Ice Palace Murders" has been extended to July 26. 651-291-7005.