Schaumburg High School’s fall production, Miss Holmes Returns, offered an empowering, reimagined version of the classic Sherlock Holmes story, with both Sherlock and Dr. Watson portrayed as women. This fun twist added new life into the iconic detective story, continuing to include depth, drama, and suspense while simultaneously challenging social norms.
The plot of Miss Holmes Returns was entertaining and interesting, filled with suspense and unexpected moments that viewers did not see coming.The complex plot, paired with surprising scenes, created a truly engaging experience that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
Leading the cast this year were Ava Ramirez, Nic Dragomirov, Maya Gonzalez, and Ewan Russell. Ramirez and Dragomirov took on roles which have been traditionally male, bringing their own energy to the newly reinvented characters.
“Since Sherlock and Watson are women in this production, Ava and Nic really got to analyze their characters and see how they would act and respond to the world around them,” explained Ms. Rysavy. “In the 1800s, women were not supposed to be in charge of anything, let alone solve cases alongside the police, so they got to play with the idea of working within a system that was working against them.” 
Both actors embraced this challenge, and their performances add levels of complexity to the familiar characters.
One challenge in this production was navigating the transitions between “real life” and dream sequences. To make sure that these shifts felt natural, certain roles were double-cast, which helped to create smooth transitions and maintain the dream-like quality of those sequences.
The set design and technical elements also play a crucial role in bringing this production to life.
“Our tech students had a huge role in our show this year,” Rysavy noted. “They had the difficult task of setting every scene. The show has a lot of scene changes, making this a crucial part of the show this year.”
The many scene changes, combined with the use of lighting and sounds to enhance dream sequences created an immersive experience that drew in the audience.
Miss Holmes Returns combined an interesting plot with a fresh take on the Sherlock Holmes characters and a highly effective technical design. With talented leads, intricate mysteries, and impressive behind-the-scenes work, Schaumburg’s 2024 Fall Play was definitely a memorable performance.