Majestic Theater, West Springfield, MA
through February 15, 2026
by Shera Cohen
This season’s Majestic Theater offerings commonly bookend its schedule with musicals, and 2025/26 continues that tradition. Sweet, homespun, and slice of life topics take place in slots #2 and #4. Smack in the middle, at #3, is the comedy – not just any comedy, but a raucous story that makes little sense; and the audiences goes along for the ride.
“The Hound of the Baskervilles,” based on an Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes’ classic is, in no way a mystery taut with tension and strewn with clues. The story and execution are all for laughs. There’s no need to be familiar with Holmes, Moriarty, et al. In fact, the actors inform the theatre patrons who they portray in the course of the play. To some degree, “Hound” is a play within a play. In fact, the top of Act II repeats the entirety of Act I. But further information would be a spoiler.
Of the three-actor cast, two portray numerous characters each. Simple props distinguish one role from another. Some of the lines give the character permission to comment on his own cheap prop; pretty much everything but a rubber chicken.
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| Photo by Kait Rankin |
For the most part, Gina Kaufmann directs her triumvirate of actors as would be expected, although a bit too slowly especially at the start. One of the important points in any story is to immediately grab the audience. Whether the fault lies in the speed (or lack thereof) or feigned suspense (bordering on boring), actor Jack Grigoli’s Sir Henry (Holmes’ client) has the potential to create a caricature, not necessarily to advance the plot, but if for no other reason than to get laughs.
Abuzar Farrukh, as Holmes and others – male and female – probably has more stage time than his co-stars. He makes each role funny. Costume designer Dawn McKay dresses Farrukh up in bizarre garb; which adds to the comedy. Tom Dahl, as Dr. Watson/Holmes’ BFF, deserves high praise. While he only needs to portray the same character throughout, and doesn’t require quick changes in clothing, accents, and/or demeanor, Dahl is the understudy for actor Jay Sefton. Never underestimate the skills of any actor when the going gets tough. Dahl became Watson without missing a beat.
Ryan Hickey and Daniel David Rist, on sound and lighting respectively,
are a fine backstage duo who spice up “Hound” just enough for a macabre environment although keeping the humor paramount.