Veteran actors return to CSC

HACKETTSTOWN — Veteran actors return to Centenary Stage Company next month for the October production of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, October 7 through 23 in the Lackland Performing Arts Center in Hackettstown. The production will be directed by Carl Wallnau, award-winning CSC artistic director.
Bringing Broadway credits to the role of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson will be CSC alumni actors Colin Ryan and David Sitler. Ryan (Hoboken, NJ) was last seen on Broadway in Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen’s production of Waiting for Godot, and No Man’s Land, directed by Sean Mathias. Ryan holds an MFA in classical acting from Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy in Washington, D.C., and has been seen in featured roles in such television series as Blue Bloods and Shades of Blue, as well as Shakespearean productions throughout the east coast. David Sitler (Jersey City, NJ) was last seen in the Broadway productions of Frost/Nixon and An Inspector Calls. His credits include productions at regional theatres throughout the country, including the Goodspeed Opera House, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre and Illinois Shakespeare Theatre.
The role of Lillie Langtry will be played by Sandy York, a graduate of the Trinity Rep Conservatory and Princeton University. York’s credits include leading roles in productions including The Tempest, The Seagull and Macbeth in New York, and in several regional theatres, including McCarter Theatre’s production of The House of Bernarda Alba.
Last seen in CSC’s production of The English Bride, which transferred to N.Y. in 2013, is Amy Griffin (Nyack, NY) , who will be playing the role of Mrs. Tory. Griffin portrayed “Cherry Who” in How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Broadway, and played the role of Mrs. Mayor in Seussical the Musical with Cathy Rigby. Among many other productions, Griffen is often remembered for her performances in three productions of Forbidden Broadway in New York.
The role of Oscar Wilde will be performance by Joseph McGranghan (Metuchen, NJ); the role of Moriarty will be played by Nicholas Wilder, who is remembered by New Jersey audiences for his performances in Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey of The Learned Ladies and Richard II. The roles of John Smythe and Abdul Karim will be played by Tom Farber and Ameer Cooper, respectively.
Written by Katie Forgette, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily brings the wit of Oscar Wilde together with the cunning of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In this story rife with humor, Wilde brings his dear friend, Lillie Langtry, to Baker Street because someone has stolen the highly intimate letters Lillie exchanged with the future King of England. With blackmail looming and a viscous plot to dismantle the Crown, only Holmes has the cunning and dexterity to solve the case. As the mystery unfolds, comedy ensues as Holmes works diligently to solve the case, going so far as to disguise himself as an early version of Lady Bracknell from Wilde's latest play, ‘The Importance of Being Forthright’, while Watson falls head-over-heels for the Jersey Lily, and a wicked professor attempts to bring the Crown to its knees.
Performances are Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Centenary Stage Company also offers buffet matinees for groups of 25 or more on Wednesdays, Oct. 12 and 19. All performances are located in the Sitnik Theater of LPAC.
Tickets for Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily range from $25 to $27.50 with discounts for students and children under 12. Buffet Matinees are $42.50/person and advance reservations are required. Thursday evenings are “family night” with a two-for-one “rush” ticket price, available at the door only.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit centenarystageco.org or call the CSC box office at (908) 979–0900. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1–5 p.m. and 2 hours prior to every performance.
The CSC box office is located in the Lackland Center; 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, N.J.