Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 08/11/2025
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Holmdel Theatre Company will hold auditions for their first full Main-Stage production since April 2024 — Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill. This is a sharp, sassy, modern twist on a classic mystery! The production will be directed by Tina Barone.
A fast-paced, irreverent comedy that reimagines the iconic Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson as modern-day, mismatched roommates solving crimes in a chaotic, post-pandemic London. Expect supervillains, twists, and nonstop laughs in this wildly entertaining take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved characters. All ethnicities encouraged to audition. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or new to the stage — they’d love to see you there!
Auditions will take place on Tuesday, August 26 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at the Duncan Smith Theater (36 Crawfords Corner Road) in Holmdel, New Jersey. Callbacks will be on Thursday, August 28 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm.
Actors will be asked to read sides from the script and be prepared to participate in some improv style activities. You are welcome to prepare a one-minute fast-paced comedic monologue, but it is not required.
CALLBACKS are by invitation ONLY, and will consist of cold readings from the script. A Special Note about the Show: Dialogue should go fast, fast, fast, speed-of-thought fast. Often, faster than you think. And Sherlock, when deducing, goes faster still.
Performances will take place over 3 weekends from November 7–23, 2025.
SETTING - Today. And also spring 2021. Mostly set in London and the surrounding areas. Sometimes set in your theater, right now, right this moment — look, we’re right behind you!
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
SHERLOCK HOLMES — 30s-40s, female-identifying. A once-in-a-generation genius. Eccentric. Focused, to a fault. Can be less-than-sensitive. Always playing psychological 3-D chess; operating on a totally different level than civilians. Like many geniuses, has a megalomaniac streak. Gets bored easily; likes applause; sometimes accused of being unfeeling. LOVES costumes and drama.
DR. JOAN WATSON — 30s-40s, female-identifying. American. Formerly type-A high-achiever. Recently divorced; struggling to find herself, feels broken. Reflexively defensive. Once had great bedside manner. Sometimes accused of being a loser; is not a loser. Wry. Smart.
IRENE ADLER / MRS. HUDSON / MRS. DREBBER — Late 20s-40s, female-identifying. One actor plays all three roles.
Irene Adler: A whip-smart, super-charming sex worker finding success at the highest levels. Always playing psychological 3-D chess; operating on a totally different level than civilians. Has incredible charm, confidence, and wit, and she knows it—uses it without mercy. You may want to be Irene, or you may want to be with Irene; but you can’t ignore her.
Mrs. Hudson: Holmes & Watson’s long-suffering landlady.
Mrs. Drebber: Seemingly an ordinary housewife. Somebody you would be very wise not to underestimate.
MORIARTY / LESTRADE / ELLIOT MONK — 30s-50s, male-identifying. One actor plays all three roles.
Moriarty: A criminal so great you’ve never heard of him. A master blackmailer; knows just when to play his cards. Always playing psychological 3-D chess; operating on a different level than civilians. Wears many masks. A professional. Amoral, but you’d like him.
Lestrade: An inspector new to his position at Scotland Yard. Not very imaginative. Often says the wrong thing.
Elliot Monk: An amoral tech billionaire from Texas.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a staged reading of Appendage by Derek Murphy on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. A darkly comic and psychologically sharp two-hander, Appendage by Derek Murphy explores grief, masculinity, and the messy ways we cope with loss. Admission is free.
South Camden Theatre Company's New Play Reading Series presents a reading of "The Ocean Deep" by Katherine Vondy
(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company's New Play Reading Series presents a reading of The Ocean Deep by Katherine Vondy on Monday, August 10, 2026. Admission is free with live music at 6:00pm and the reading & discussion at 7:00pm.
Gateway Playhouse to Hold Open Auditions for "9 to 5: The Musical"
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse of Somers Point is holding open auditions for their third MainStage production of the year, the incredibly fun 9 to 5: The Musical. Auditions will take place from 6:00pm-8:00pm Monday and Tuesday, August 10 and 11, 2026. All roles are open and any performance experience is welcomed (must be 16 or older).
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park to Host Auditions for "Curious George: The Golden Meatball" on August 12th
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park is holding auditions for its fall 2026 children's production of Curious George: The Golden Meatball on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:00pm at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre located inside Roosevelt Park in Edison. Everyone's favorite mischievous monkey and his friend in the yellow hat sing and dance up a storm in this adventure-filled musical.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Alice By Heart"
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Alice By Heart with three performances from August 12-13, 2026. From the Tony and Grammy Award-winning creators of Spring Awakening (Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik) and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress) this is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Chimera Productions presents "Job" at Paul Robeson Center for the Arts
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- New Jersey-based theater company Chimera Productions will present its 17th production, Job by Max Wolf Friedlich, from August 13-15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. The play, presented in the intimate 60-seat theater inside Princeton's Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, is a psychological thriller that offers a sharp, darkly funny, and unsettling examination of our addiction to work, the internet, the cost of modern life, and what we're willing to sacrifice to belong.
Masquerade Theatre presents "Myths, Legends & Folklore Showcase"
(RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents Myths, Legends & Folklore Showcase with performances on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical"
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical across two weekends from August 8-16, 2026. Bold, revolutionary, and electrifying, Hair captures the spirit of a generation and stands as the ultimate celebration of the 1960s.
Asbury Park Theater Company to Hold Open Auditions for "The Wolves" by Sarah DeLappe
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Park Theater Company (APTCo) has announced that its first mainstage production under newly appointed Producing Artistic Director Nate Patten will be The Wolves, Sarah DeLappe's Pulitzer Prize finalist play that has captivated audiences across the country with its sharp wit, emotional honesty, and unforgettable portrait of young women finding their voices.
Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along"
(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios Community Theatre, a nonprofit theatre organization serving Central New Jersey, announces its upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The production will close the company's 2025-26 season, themed "Our Time," with five performances at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Auditorium in Metuchen, NJ from August 20-23, 2026.
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