Unbound Productions to Offer Staged Readings This Summer

Unbound Productions Executive Director Jonathan Josephson, Artistic Director Paul Millet, and Producing Artistic Director Jeff G. Rack have announced two events that will be taking place in the greater Pasadena area this summer: an enhanced staged reading of Holmes, Sherlock and The Consulting Detective on Friday, June 26 at 7pm at The Huntington (San Marino) and a Summer Wicked Lit Installation including a full production of W.W. Jacobs' The Monkey's Paw and a staged reading of H.P. Lovecraft's From Beyond: July 10-25 at Mountain View Mausoleum (Altadena).

Unbound's newest literary adaptation series Mystery Lit will kick off with a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle theatrical mashup entitled Holmes, Sherlock and The Consulting Detective, staged at the newly opened Steven S. Koblik Education & Visitor Center at The Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens. The play was written by Jonathan Josephson (Las Lloronas - Wicked Lit 2014, 2013 Humana Festival of New American Plays) and will be directed by Charlie Mount (The Spirits of Walpurgistnacht - WL14, Without Annette - Theatre West). The event will feature 16 actors and include suggested costumes and some technical design. The play was originally developed in 2014 with the assistance from an Individual Artist Grant from the City of Pasadena Arts Commission.

About the play: It's a Sherlock Holmes play times three! Follow three different versions of Doyle's iconic Baker Street detective through a literary labyrinth of clues and misdirection in a script-in-hand performance featuring Sherlockian mainstays, new characters, and a host of theatrical surprises. This performance will appeal to young audiences, theatre lovers and Sherlock super-fans alike. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

This performance will be the second collaboration between Unbound Productions and the iconic literary institution. "We were very happy to work with Unbound Productions last year for our Celebration of Stories Day," said Julianne Johnston, Youth and Family Programs Coordinator at The Huntington. "Their unique way of storytelling is engaging for our visitors and we are thrilled to see our Huntington collections come to life in upcoming programs." On August 22, Unbound will bring a series of staged readings of Wicked Lit plays to different locations throughout the grounds (details are TBA).

Starting July 10, Unbound will return to Mountain View Mausoleum, the site of the company's popular Wicked Lit series, for a special summer installation of the troupe's signature immersive adaptation of classic horror literature. This installation will include a full production of W.W. Jacobs' The Monkey's Paw
adapted by Jeff G. Rack (The Doll at Strub Mansion, The Lurking Fear - WL13, with Jonathan Josephson) and directed by Paul Millet (Las Lloronas - Wicked Lit 2014, Smoke & Mirrors at The Road Theatre and elsewhere) as well as a staged reading of H.P. Lovecraft's From Beyond, adapted by Trey Nichols (The Car Plays - Moving Arts) and directed by James Castle Stevens (Lend Me A Tenor - Glendale Center Theatre).

Said playwright/Production Artistic Director Rack, "This was the first play I ever wrote for Wicked Lit, back in 2008. We've been looking for the perfect venue to stage the play as an immersive event, and we finally decided to build one - inside of Mountain View Mausoleum." Spearheaded by Rack (who is also the resident Production Designer for the company), Unbound will transform the Mausoleum's art gallery into the tiny country cottage that is the setting for The Monkey's Paw.

The mission of Unbound Productions, is to reimagine timeless stories for new audiences by creating immersive, theatrical adaptations of literature.

Visit unboundproductions.org for complete pricing and scheduling details.

THE PLAYS

Holmes, Sherlock and The Consulting Detective
By Jonathan Josephson
Directed by Charlie Mount
A theatrical mash-up of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia," "The Red-Headed League" and "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches"

Featuring (in order of appearance): J. Anthony McCarthy, Andrew Thacher, Chairman Barnes, Joe Camareno, John T. Cogan, Richard Large, Jennifer Novak Chun, Brandon Massey, Mark Ostrander, Eric Keitel, Laura Napoli, Katelyn Gault, Michael Prichard, Brian David Pope, Roses Prichard , and Jessica Perry. Costume Design by Christine Cover-Ferro, Stage Manager is Heidi Marie.

It's a Sherlock Holmes play times three! Follow three different versions of Doyle's iconic Baker Street detective through a literary labyrinth of clues and misdirection in a script-in-hand performance featuring Sherlockian mainstays, new characters, and a host of theatrical surprises. Presented by Unbound Productions, this performance will appeal to young audiences, theatre lovers and Sherlock super-fans alike. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

W.W. Jacobs' The Monkey's Paw
Adapted by Jeff G. Rack
Directed by Paul Millet

This iconic "Be Careful What You Wish For" story is finally getting the full Wicked Lit treatment! One of the first plays ever written for our company, but never produced until now. Unbound is thrilled to bring this terrifying tale to life inside the Mountain View Mausoleum.

Featuring Richard Large, Jennifer Novak Chun, Eric DeLoretta, Raymond-Kym Suttle and Kyle Fox.

H.P. Lovecraft's From Beyond
Adapted by Trey Nichols
Directed by James Castle Stevens

Scientific curiosity unlocks paranormal terrors in one of Lovecraft's most consuming, cerebral thrillers.

Featuring Eric Keitel, Dustin Hess, Chairman Barnes and Justin Radford.