New theater company to debut in Leavenworth with ‘Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson’

LEAVENWORTH — A new local theater company focused on “bold storytelling, inventive staging, and celebrating the artists” will make its debut with “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B” this February at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA).

“Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B” is directed by local artists Phil Lacey and McKenzie Baird, the founders of the newly established Rogue Assembly Theater Company. Both Lacey and Baird’s work has been seen throughout the region with ICCA, Leavenworth Summer Theater and Music Theatre of Wenatchee. Over the past 10 years, Lacey has also been an artistic/executive director of ICCA, Leavenworth Summer Theater, and Seattle G&S. Baird is a senior lecturer on faculty at Central Washington University in the Dance and Theater programs.

In 2023, the pair worked together on their first full production, ICCA’s “Pride and Prejudice,” which sparked the idea for Rogue Assembly.

“Getting to work together, and combining our creative talents was something we realized we needed to make a priority, so the original idea for Rogue Assembly was born from that. We both share an interest in bold creative works that have something to say,” both Baird and Lacey said in an email to Ward Media.

“Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt 2B,” by playwright Kate Hamill, reimagines the Sherlock Holmes canon and places women at the center of the mystery. In Hamill’s world, Holmes and Watson are roommates, sleuths, and emotional minefields, navigating crime and connection in present-day London.

“We chose “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt 2B” because of how it looks at the world. It’s almost farcically honest and direct about the joy (and pain) of being an odd-ball and how to celebrate finding yourself. It’s also a riot of a play, it moves as fast as a charging horse, and it really pulls the audience along, inviting them to enjoy the emotional ride,” they said.

The two-hour show is driven by a mere four cast members, with some playing multiple characters: Tess Davison as Sherlock Holmes, Caroline Rensel as Dr. Joan Watson, Grace Camp as Irene Adler, Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Drebber, and Andy Meyers as Lestrade and Elliot Monk. The actors are all local, coming from a region “full of amazing talent,” said Baird. The decision was rooted in a desire to ground the theater company in community.

“The play requires an extreme level of energy, and these actors are setting aside the time, energy and focus to be present in rehearsals at this level - it’s a huge undertaking. We’re truly blessed to be working with these amazing actors who make it such a joy to be able to create together as they have such capacity,” said Baird and Lacey.

Baird and Lacey hope the Rogue Assembly Theater Company will foster a space for both creative work and community, whether that is through workshops, play readings, dance classes, musicals, or huge festivals in partnership with other organizations.

“This company gives us the freedom to explore what we find exciting, and will empower us to bring that to life here in the Wenatchee Valley,” they added.

“Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt 2B” will run Feb. 13-26 at ICCA’s Snowy Owl Theater. Tickets and information can be found at icicle.org.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media