Lyric’s ‘The Games Afoot’ is on stage until Dec. 9

“The Games Afoot” or “Holmes for the Holidays” is Ken Ludwig’s comic suspense thriller based on actor and playwright William Gillette. Gillette’s collaboration with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on “Sherlock Holmes” became his greatest success.

The Jewel Box Production “The Games Afoot” is a thriller set in Gillette’s Connecticut riverside mansion, Christmas Eve, 1936. Gillette is a widower caring for his mother, Martha, a graceful matron. They have invited the cast of the successful “Sherlock Holmes” for Christmas Eve festivities. Felix Geisel and wife Madge, as well as Simon Bright and his lady love, Aggie Wheeler, attend. Gillette also invites Daria Chase, a theater critic that only theater critics could love. Someone is mysteriously stabbed, and Inspector Goring arrives to solve the case with the assistance of Gillette, who fancies himself the genuine Sherlock Holmes.

Billie Thrash directs this comedy with subtle precision using a cast all with comedic timing. Don Taylor gives one of his best performances as William Gillette, and Elizabeth Garrison portrays the slightly dotty mother, Martha Gillette. Tad Thurston’s Felix Geisel is funny and Amandanell Bold is hilarious as wife, Madge. Karen Garlitz is beautiful as starlet Aggie Wheeler, and Justice Wickstrom is exuberantly wonderful as Simon Bright. Mariah Warren is the theater critic. Chris Harris as Inspector Goring performs with absolute genius!

“The Games Afoot” plays through Dec. 9.

— By Elizabeth Hurd,

for The Oklahoman