Curio Theatre Spoofs THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES in Philly Premiere, Now thru 6/1

Curio Theatre Company will finish their season with the hilarious Philadelphia premiere of The Hound of the Baskervilles, adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson from Arthur Conan Doyle, performing tonight, May 8 through June 1, 2013 (Press Opening Friday May 10th). All shows are at 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (and Wednesday 5/8). Tickets are $15-$20 (only $10-$15 for previews) and can be purchased at www.curiotheatre.org or by calling 215-525-1350.

The play starts spookily enough, but is quickly derailed by an argument between the cast (Harry Slack of West Philadelphia, Steve Carpenter of South Philadelphia and CJ Keller of Havertown) about including a medical disclaimer for the audience. They eventually get back to the story: Sir Charles Baskerville has died on the moor of a heart attack, fitting with an old family curse that they would be hunted by a giant ghostly hound. With plenty of disguises, confusion and missing pants, the great Sherlock Holmes and Watson are on the case. But when a negative Twitter comment distracts the cast, the audience is forced to sit through the entire first half, again, at breakneck speed. How will it end? Will the cast stay on task long enough to even get to the end?

Curio Artistic Director Paul Kuhn of West Philadelphia will direct the production. "Seldomly you read a play where you are just laughing hysterically out loud," says Kuhn. "I like to call it a cross between 'Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged' and 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'."

With its double-casting and high theatricality, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is a very "Curio" kind of play to end the season. "There's the costumes changes that I'm kind of in denial about right now," adds Kuhn with a laugh. "We might need a screen, but there's something about watching a man get into a dress right in front of an audience that's appealing to me right now." Kuhn also designs the scenery, with lighting by Tim Martin of Bryn Mawr and costumes by Aetna Gallagher of Wallingford.

Produced by Curio Theatre Company, the show will run tonight, May 8-June 1, 2013, at 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, performing on Curio's Corner Stage (corner of 48th St. and Baltimore Ave.). Ticket Prices: $15-20 ($5 off for preview tickets: 5/8-9). Tickets/Info:215-525-1350 or www.curiotheatre.org

Curio Theatre Company's mission is to serve audiences in West Philadelphia and beyond with high quality, affordable theatre performances; to develop artistic talent through ensemble, company-based training and rehearsal processes; and to further academic, social, and personal development through arts education. The artistic and the educational arms of the theatre company are intertwined as we make our home in the diverse community of West Philadelphia.

Pictured: back row from left to right, Harry Slack and Steve Carpenter. Down front, CJ Keller. Photo by Kyle Cassidy.