FIRST LOOK: THE GAME'S AFOOT or HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS at Theatre Palisades; Opens Today

Theatre Palisades presents the first Los Angeles production of "The Game's Afoot or Holmes For The Holidays" by Ken Ludwig, opening Friday, November 6, 2015 and running until Sunday, December 13, 2015 at the Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Directed by Gene Franklin Smith, "The Game's Afoot" is the winner of the Mystery Writers of America's 2012 Edgar Award for Best Play. Nona Hale and Pat Perkins produce for Theatre Palisades by permission from Samuel French. Featured in the cast (in alphabetical order) are Gail Bernardi, Matthew Godfrey, Nicole Knudsen, James Lujan, John Mawson, Maria Pavone, Maggie Peach, and Andi Wagner.

Playwright Ken Ludwig is best known for his farces, and he infuses his riotous wit and slapstick comedy into this clever whodunit. It's Christmas Eve, 1936, and William Gillette - the first actor to portray the iconic Sherlock Holmes on stage and in silent film - recovers from a gunshot wound inflicted during a performance. Donning his Sherlock alter-ego, Gillette attempts to learn the identity of his would-be assassin and invites his cast and a vituperative theatre critic to his home for the holidays. But during the festivities, the theatre critic is murdered, and the murderer must be found out before he or she strikes again. The Game's Afoot is an inspired and hilarious alternative to the usual holiday entertainment.

"The Game's Afoot or Holmes For The Holidays" performances are from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, December 13, 2015, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at Theatre Palisades' Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road (south of Sunset Blvd.) in Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Ticket Prices: Adults $20, Seniors and Students $18.

For more information or to order tickets, please call our box office at (310) 454-1970 or visit our website at www.theatrepalisades.org. You may also order tickets on Plays 411 by calling (323) 960-7822 or online at www.plays411.com/holmes. Free onsite parking available at the Pierson Playhouse.

THE GAME'S AFOOT Bios

Gene Franklin Smith (Director) was the Artistic Director for Malibu Playhouse's critically acclaimed 2013-14 season, during which he directed an updated version of Noel Coward's The Vortex, later remounted at the Matrix Theatre and nominated for best production of 2014 by LA Stage Raw. Other directing credits include Michael's Kearns' A Kiss-in For Trayvon, Triumph, A Reunion of Sorts, The Philadelphia Story, The Lion in Winter and his adaptation of Tender Is The Night. He is also an award-winning playwright, whose most recent works include Boise USA and Flim Flam: Houdini and the Hereafter.

Gail Bernardi (Martha Gillette) is a veteran stage actress and director, having worked in many venues throughout Southern California, most recently An Ideal Husband and 4000 Miles.

Matthew Godfrey (Simon Bright) is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and the Moscow Art Theatre School. Amongst his extensive film and television credits are California Dreaming, Iron Eagle, Madonna: Innocence Lost, PSI Factor, John Woo's Once a Thief. His many stage credits include: Cymbeline, The Trial, A Patriot For Me, Strangers in the Night and Laura.

Nicole Knudsen (Aggie Wheeler) is a recent graduate of the USC School of Dramatic Arts and the British American Drama Academy. Her stage appearances include: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Top Girls, Much Ado About Nothing, The Alcestiad, Anything Goes and Jesus Christ Superstar.

James Lujan (Felix Geisel) recently finished filming a sci-fi short, 23 Skidoo and was a guest star on the Season 3 premiere of Masters of Sex. His theatre credits include Red Angel, 900 Oneanta, Raised in Captivity, King Lear and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

John Mawson (William Gillette) is a classically trained British actor, writer and producer. His television and film credits include Outlander, Castle, Criminal Minds, The Last Seven, Rehearsal. His extensive stage credits include The Secret of Sherlock Holmes (Los Angeles and London) Inherit the Wind (The Old Vic) and most recently, The Vortex at the Matrix Theatre.

Maria Pavone (Daria Chase) has performed locally and around the southland from South Coast Repertory to the Electric Lodge to Shakespeare Orange County. She's worked as a script analyst for the Mark Taper Forum, A.S.K. Theatre Projects and the Tiffany Theaters and has been nominated for an LA Weekly Award in acting.

Maggie Peach (Inspector Goring) is a veteran stage actress, having appeared in multiple roles in both Charles Dickens' Bleak House and Transports of the Heart at Write Act Repertory Company. Most recently she was in Bedroom Farce and Misalliance, both at the Odyssey Theatre.

Andi Wagner (Madge Geisel)'s credits include the film Broken Links, stage productions: Sleeping Beauty, Stage Door and Grease. She is also a stand-up comedian and television host.

Photos by Shari Barrett