Holmes and Watson at City Lit Theater

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...Adam Bitterman is a bluff, dogged Watson, the careful chronicler of his brilliant friend's adventures. British actor James Sparling is a near-ringer for the famous Sidney Paget drawings of Holmes in the Strand Magazine, and he conveys the character's high-strung personality nicely; but he needs to be careful of rushing his lines and swallowing the ends of his phrases. My favorite part of the show is when Sparling's Holmes impersonates Moriarty—it's a wonderfully creepy, reptilian portrayal of Holmes's elusive archenemy, the "Napoleon of Crime.""

Theatre By Numbers - Recommended

"...Director and adaptor Terry McCabe has chosen both the source material and his actors well, and crafted a fast-moving narrative spun out as a sort of psychological drama for Holmes. In both stories, Holmes is confronted with an intellectual equal who manages to outmaneuver him. With Irene, it's something of benign experience; with Moriarty, decidedly less so. I wish Adrienne Matzen's Irene Adler had more presence in the story - but alas, Sir Arthur gave her only a large cameo. Ms. Matzen is charming and bright as Irene, and serves as an able opponent to Master Holmes."

Stage and Cinema - Recommended

"...A much more dire and fatal encounter that spans three tumultuous days in the spring of 1891, "The Final Problem" pits Holmes against his archetypal nemesis and doppelganger, the former mathematics teacher Professor James Moriarty. Anticipating ISIS or Al Qaeda, this "Napoleon of crime" weaves a web of international criminality, his evil fingers in a dozen pies. In what was supposed to be Holmes' last story, the good dick and the vile malefactor literally descend into history, after a fateful showdown at Switzerland's Reichenbach Falls. Bitterman's ravaged requiem registers Holmes' loss beyond words."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...Kudos to City Lit Theater for offering us such polished work. Once you see this fine show, you’ll go to Amazon for more Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. The strength of Bitterman and Sparling’s performances makes for a wonderful stage adventure."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...If you are fan of all things Sherlock this is a definite must see. For those newly interested in the tales of Holmes, or for those looking for yet another take on the ever popular character, it is an intelligent piece of theatre timed just right (at just over an hour and a half with a ten minute intermission) Ideal for the dark and stormy nights of a Chicago November."

Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended

"...Bringing their second helping of Sherlock Holmes to Chicago audiences, City Lit offers to theatergoers a fine alternative to the oncoming avalanche of holiday productions. With its intimate setting and suggestive Victorian costumes by LaVisa Angela Williams, there’s very little to detract from Arthur Conan Doyle’s delectable, descriptive words. This production unfolds with brisk potency, as if a trio of skilled storytellers has dropped by to share with relish two of their favorite Baker Street sagas. It’s an elementary entertainment featuring two tingly tales guaranteed to take the chill off a cold Chicago night."