SOMERS POINT — The masters of mystery and the macabre — Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe — join forces on a descent into madness, murder and the supernatural during “The Night Side,” a play set to premiere Nov. 2 as a Halloween treat at Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point.
Described best as a “ghost story performed on stage,” “The Night Side” is a psychological thriller in which Holmes — unnerved and tormented by his own terrifying ordeal — obsesses over the mysterious death of Poe. His chilling encounters with the Ghost of Poe uncover a horror as shocking as any of Poe’s tales of terror.
It’s a treat for theater to offer such a compelling blend of suspense, unexpected twists, dark secrets and spine-tingling revelations, according to playwright and director Linda Swain, who undertook extensive researched to create a story worthy of appreciation by fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective and the classic Gothic tales of one of America’s most admired writers.
“For so long, it has been a dream to bring Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe together in an extraordinary situation, a dark place of psychological trauma and moral challenges,” Swain said. “I am so thrilled to bring this event to my town of Somers Point, and to the historic Gateway Playhouse, the perfect place to premiere this show.”
Leading the cast as Sherlock Holmes is John Isgro, who has portrayed the character many times.
“This play is not your normal ‘solve the mystery’ Sherlock Holmes story, so having the chance to play the character in such a dark and troubled mental state is actually quite freeing,” Isgro said. “In the story, Linda has placed Holmes in a position he’s never been in before, so it definitely allows me to bring my own spin to the character and how the events of the play might be affecting him.”
Friends of experienced southern New Jersey actor Jon Furey are excited to see him as Poe — a role that seems like a perfect fit. Furey has been a fan of Poe for most of his adult life and believes it is an honor and a challenge to portray him.
Scott Higbee, a regular on area stages including at Holy Spirit High School where he teaches, is Watson. Higbee noted that he has enjoyed playing the iconic character in this role in which he is a competent, albeit less astute, partner to Holmes, rather than a bumbling sidekick.
In “The Night Side,” Watson’s devotion to his beloved friend Holmes is evident through his frustration and extreme worry.
Rounding out the cast is Jaime Howey, Kimberley Cocchi, Ryan Daly and Marge Homan.
There will be four performances starting with the premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. A matinee is set to follow at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. There are two performances the following weekend, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9.
Tickets are $25 and available at gatewaybythebay.org. Call (609) 653-0553 for group ticket sales at a discount.