ENTERTAINMENT
The Remarkable Mr. Holmes BY DEBORAH VIETOR
Looking for a rollicking good time, accompanied by laughter, mystery, music and singing? The Remarkable Mr. Holmes provides a performance Sir Arthur Conan Boyle himself would be proud of as the production pays a loving homage to him. Travel back to London, 1890s and meet Sherlock Homes as you have never known him, along with his new assistant. Sleuthing his way into your sense of curiosity, he may just teach us there is more to Holmes than meets the eye. Holmes demonstrates not only his mastery of solving crimes, but those involving a dynamic, fast paced performance with song. The musical is written by North Coast Rep Artistic Director David Ellenstein and playwright Omri Schein, who also provides lyrics, with music by Daniel Lincoln. This world-premiere musical offers a unique, creative perspective for theatre-lovers and Sherlock buffs alike. Ellenstein wanted to create an intriguing, yet fun play, exploiting Holmes idiosyncratic nature, and some of his weird quirks. A world premiere, this is the third Holmes production Ellenstein has directed. 24
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2022
Holmes is brilliantly performed by Bart Shatto who arrives at the North Coast Rep. with an impressive resume. Shining in the pivotal role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway. Shatto also performed in CATS, both on national tours. He has performed at some of the most acclaimed regional theaters in the country. His credits include The Civil War, (Tony- nominated Best Musical and Helen Hayes Nomination for Best Musical). Additional theatre credits include both Tony-nominated War Paint, (starring Patti Lupone), and Hands on a Hardbody. Shatto also performed in Dracula: The Musical. Shatto is acclaimed as a versatile actor/singer, whose skills have garnered him national commercial spots, (ESPN, Omcast, Minolta, and Con Air.) Television credits also include: Ghost Stories, Guiding Light, Murphy Brown, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire. Appearances on and leads in short films, include Finding Father and Opening Fright. He has performed at distinguished venues, including Carnegie Hall and the National Theatre in Washington D.C. for President George Bush. Shatto also performed on tour with the Gold/Platinum selling rock-symphonic band, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His vocals can be heard on albums including the original Children of Eden, (original cast) and several Trans-Siberian Orchestra soundtracks. Additional credits are too numerous to mention. He has been an Equity actor for 30 years. Asked what he has learned in life which has contributed to becoming a better actor, Shatto replied that his desire is to make people feel loved. “It is all about how you make others feel, a curiosity, love for people, and compassion for humanity,” he said. “Work itself makes me the most joyous and happiest.” Holmes is reminiscent of the antics created and presented by Mel Brooks, according to Shatto. (Think of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to The Forum.) So much of Brooks’ work has been referred to as outrageous and irreverent, synonymous with the play, bursting with laughter with a combination of mayhem and mystery. Asked what advice he would give to those interested in an acting career, Shatto gave some great insight. “Have a curiosity about life and human beings, do regional theatre, audition for everything, visit museums, attend plays, learn how to sing and take a dance class.” His advice to those in the profession is to “recognize your greatness.” Shatto teaches a Master Class called “Creating a Dynamic Character
