‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes’ at Laguna Playhouse is…well…REMARKABLE! – Review

‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes‘ at Laguna Playhouse is remarkably one of the most side-splitting, entertain musicals ever to grace the stage.

The cast of, ‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes,’ directed by David Ellenstein and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA through March 30, 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Niedle/TETHOS.

I am still buzzing with excitement nearly 24 hours after seeing the opening night performance of ‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes‘ at Laguna Playhouse! From the first note to the last, this show was a non-stop, side-splitting, heart-pounding ride of musical comedy genius that had me laughing harder than I’ve ever laughed at a theater production before. My face still hurts from laughing!!

Directed by incredibly talented David Ellenstein, who also co-wrote the book with Omri Schein with lyrics by Schein and music by Daniel Lincoln; this musical is a testament to Ellenstein’s passion for theater, not to mention his rich lineage within the stage world. Every aspect of this show shines with that love and dedication, and it’s clear from start to finish that ‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes‘ is a labor of love.

Now, let’s talk about the showstopper herself, Darcy Rose Byrnes who Phillis with such energy and charisma that she literally steals every moment on stage. This is the third musical I’ve reviewed where Darcy had a significant supporting role (the first being ‘Reefer Madness: The Musical‘ and the second being ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish’ at Laguna Playhouse), and once again, she *owns* it! Her impeccable comedic timing, incredible vocal range while singing with an accent, and undeniable stage presence are absolutely mesmerizing. The spotlight seems to gravitate toward her 5’1″, petite frame no matter what scene she’s stealing.

Susan Denaker as Mrs. Hudson and Jason Graae as Artemis are hilarious in their respective roles. They were perfectly cast, bringing their own brand of comedy to the show that had me rolling. Michael Scott Harris and Katie Karel as Gustav and Gerda Von Schwanz were equally uproarious. Even with Gerda’s accent occasionally fading, they brought the house down with their zany antics.

Sheila Watson (Shannon O’Boyle), Phyllis (Darcy Rose Byrnes0 and Sherlock Holmes (Paul Slade Smith) star in, ‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes,’ directed by David Ellenstein and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA through March 30, 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Niedle/TETHOS.

As for Shannon O’Boyle as Shiela Watson (Dr. Watson’s long-lost sister) and Paul Slade Smith as the quirky, maraca-shaking, pipe-smoking Sherlock Holmes, they were absolutely perfect together. Their chemistry was electric, and you almost believed they had been married for decades, even with the characters having just met. Their witty banter felt so natural, it was as though they’d known each other forever.

Let’s not forget Pat Towne as the charming Rabbi Plotkin and Martin Kildare as the scene-stealing Inspector Lestrade (along with four other significant figures that die). Their comedic timing was unblemished, giving stellar performances that had the audience howling.

I can’t say enough about the incredible musical direction and the five-piece band led by Alby Potts on keyboard, along with Steve Chiu on violin, Jay Mason on reeds, Kara Ford on second keyboard, and Adam Alesi on drums and percussion. The sound they created was absolutely massive, think a 20-piece orchestra, and it brought this already incredible musical to a whole other level.

The attention to detail left no stone unturned. Even the sconces on the rim of the stage became their own characters in this production, That level of detail and creativity didn’t go unnoticed. Every little touch—from the choreography by Jill Gorrie to the sharp, witty wordplay—was near perfection.

If I had one tiny quibble, it would be the moment when Shiela Watson claimed to know a particular Japanese grappling art that took Brazil by storm, then proceeded to throw a kick. It was a fun callback to 1940s films where people would throw a “judo chop,” even through we do not throw any sort of chops in judo, made me chuckle. But hey, I’ll let that slide because the rest of the show was nearly flawless.

‘The Remarkable Mister Holmes‘ at Laguna Playhouse runs from now through March 30, 2025. To purchase tickets visit https://purchase.lagunaplayhouse.com/.