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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(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Center Players present Love Letters by A.R. Gurney with three performances from June 20-28, 2026. A Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama, Love Letters is about two lifelong friends and the letters they exchange, told with warmth, grace and heart.
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