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Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre Brings You Holmes for the Holidays

Suellen Fitzsimmons
/
PICT

In a season where theater-goers can see reworked versions of holiday tales like The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre is offering a colorful alternative.

The Crucifer of Blood is an adaptation by Paul Giovanni of a Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle. The play features Holmes and his sidekick, Watson as they wrestle with supernatural demons in 19th century London.

Pittsburgh-based actor David Whalen plays the heroic Holmes for a second time on the Pittsburgh stage following his stint in 2011’s Mask of Moriarty, where he helped the Irish and Classical Theatre reach their best box office results in 17 years.

He is joined by New York actor Justin R.G. Holcomb, who plays loyal sidekick John Watson. Whalen says the public's attraction to Holmes is a result of his unique and fascinating cognitive process. 

“Everyone loves a mystery. But more importantly, everyone loves a puzzle. And you have a man who can take on the most abstruse cryptogram...and break it down to the most essential truth, the logic, the reason, and come up with the answer….and he takes in all the information in such a superhuman way. His brain just works on a total different level.”

Sherlock Holmes and the Crucifer of Blood will run through December 21st at the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre.