ALT presents classic mystery 'Sherlock Holmes and the First Baker Street Irregular'

Amarillo Little Theatre Academy will bring Sherlock Holmes to life onstage for “Sherlock Holmes and the First Baker Street Irregular," scheduled for Oct. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 24 at 2:30 p.m.

The production follows a child named Wiggins and his band of orphans. One day, Wiggins pick pockets Sherlock Holmes, from then on, the child is an apprentice to both Sherlock and his trusty companion, Watson.

The play follows the trio as they solve two classic mysteries from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the original creator of the Sherlock Holmes series, “The RedHeaded League” and “The Adventures of the Blue Carbuncle.”

“I was looking for something Fall, a spooky story, or something that has a nice heart in it, and I came across this version of Sherlock. It has mystery, it has heart, it's set right around this time of year, and I was like 'man that’s perfect', and I thought it would be a fun one to tie in with the time of year,” said Mikayla Garren, academy director for ALT and artistic director for the production.

The production features 35 academy students with ages ranging from 10 for the youngest cast member playing an orphan to the oldest cast member, a senior in high school, Kierce Sanchez, as Sherlock Holmes.

“I feel like I very much connect with Sherlock Holmes in the fact that he is very non-conventional, he is very intelligent, but sometimes just the smallest of things can slip through the cracks and I think that a lot of people can identify with that, especially me as a senior,” Sanchez said.

He has been with the academy for 10 years and this will be his first time in the title role, he added.

Mattie Gillespie, who portrays Wiggins, the leading orphan, has been with the academy for six years, and this is her first leading role with ALT. 

“She (Wiggins) is a storyteller and I love telling stories. I'm an actor, that’s what I want to do, I want to pursue being an actor and so I love that I can portray her,” Gillespie said.

“Scene 1A, the opening scene, where we all run out, that’s just the moment where the audience sees me (as Wiggins)," she continued. "I get to be with all my friends, the Irregulars, and you get to meet all the characters and it's so, so fun because it's just energy, energy, energy.”

This production will be the first to be solely directed by new academy director Garren, who is accompanied by students Ashley Baum as assistant director, and Mabry Fristoe as production assistant.

“I hope that people leave feeling hopeful. I hope that their hearts feel warm. I hope that it sparks kindness, understanding, and a desire to make a difference in their communities that they already have,” Garren said.

The sets were designed by the academy's technical director, Gregg Dunlap, and the costumes for this production were designed and created by academy moms Kaleena Nite and Krystal Burns. 

The matinee performance scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 will be a mask-required performance.

“We want to give the higher-risk community a chance to come in and feel safe,” Garren said.

The performance will be held at the Allen Shankles Mainstage of the theater, located at 2019 Civic Circle.

Ticket pricing is $15 for ages 12 and older, and $12 for ages 11 and younger. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office.

Tickets can also be reserved by phone at (806) 355-9991 or purchased online at www.amarillolittletheatre.org