originally published: 10/15/2025

(left to right) Bob Scarpone (Watson), Marc LeBlanc (Sherlock Holmes), and Kathy Erbach Gordon (Lady Agatha Mortimer). Photo by Eileen McShane

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents Hound of the Baskervilles in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center across two weekends from October 17-26, 2025. This is Tim Kelly's stage adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most spine-chilling mystery features suspense, humor, and terror.

Sir Henry is heir to the vast Baskerville fortune, a legacy that comes with a family curse of death at the fangs of a horror that prowls the moor. Only Sherlock Holmes can stop the beast. While mysterious lights signal Baskerville Hall and the hound terrifies the countryside, the sleuthing begins and suspicion falls on sinister servants, butterfly collectors, ladies in distress, and escaped convicts.

The production is directed by Cass Cochrane of Colonia. The cast includes (in order of appearance): Kathy Erbach Gordon of Cranford as Lady Agatha Mortimer, Amy Lewis of Basking Ridge as Perkins, Bob Scarpone of Flanders as Watson, Marc LeBlanc of Linden as Sherlock Holmes, Mary O'Connor-Kelley of Fanwood as Mrs. Barrymore, Arik Hartman of Guttenberg as Sir Henry, David Kelley of Fanwood as Barrymore, Ruth Otterburn of Bloomfield as Kathy Stapleton, Matt Marino of Bernardsville as Jack Stapleton, C Campen of Berkeley Heights as Selden, and Eileen McShane of Bernardsville as Laura Lyons.

Photos by Eileen McShane

Hound of the Baskervilles will open on Friday, October 17 at 7:30pm, with additional performances on October 18 at 7:30pm, October 19 at 2:00pm, October 24 and 25 at 7:30pm, and October 26 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 general admission, $23 for seniors (65 and over) and students, $20 for Farmstead Arts members, and $15 for children under 12. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door (cash only). The Farmstead Arts Center is located at 450 King George Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

The English Barn Theater is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services please send an e-mail in advance to [email protected]. The barn is neither heated nor air conditioned; please dress accordingly.

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Hound of the Baskervilles is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

This production concludes The Lord Stirling Theater Company's tenth anniversary season at the Farmstead Arts Center. Past productions include She Stoops to Conquer, Black Coffee (which was nominated for the 2025 NJACT Perry Awards for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play, and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play), The Wisdom of Eve, A Murder Is Announced (which was nominated for the 2024 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play), Blithe Spirit, Ken Ludwig's Leading Ladies (which received the 2023 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play), Cobb (which received the 2022 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Stage Management of a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play and Outstanding Sound Design of a Play), Dracula (which was nominated for the 2020 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play), The Importance of Being Earnest (which received the 2019 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Play and was nominated in six other categories, including Outstanding Production of a Play), Treasure Island, Othello, Arsenic and Old Lace (which was nominated for the 2018 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play), Of Mice and Men, And Then There Were None, The Dresser, Frankenstein's Fate, The Tempest, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

A dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, The Lord Stirling Theater Company is committed to presenting innovative theater for diverse audiences, through readings and full productions of classical theater and new works, as well as exploring the American experience through compelling productions that illuminate and celebrate our history, culture, and literature. The theater group fosters the next generation of theater artists and audiences by providing unique hands-on educational programming and training in all aspects of theater production.

This event has been made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.