October 21, 2026 — Theatrical treats range from mysterious and spooky to serious
Fun with Holmes and Watson
Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson need no introduction, according to playwright Ken Ludwig, whose “Baskerville,” a comic take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” opens Friday, Oct. 23, at Olympia Little Theatre. “Holmes and Watson … are mythic characters in our literature and in our world,” Ludwig said in a video interview (https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/57235/ken-ludwigs-baskerville-a-sherlock-holmes-mystery), adding that he couldn’t resist the challenge of playing with the iconic investigators. The result is a madcap mystery in which five actors — including Kelli Midgley as Holmes and Tom Sanders as Watson — play more than 40 characters, aided by a dizzying array of costume changes and silly accents. Performances are at 7:25 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31 and Nov. 5-7 and 1:55 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 and 8 at the theater (https://olympialittletheater.org), 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia. Tickets (already sold out for Nov. 1) are $12-$18.
In the spirit of the scary season
Theater Artists Olympia has long been known for staging plays about murderers, mad scientists and even cannibals. With Halloween approaching, the company is at it again with “A Spirited Manor,” opening Friday, Oct. 23. Though it debuted in 2022, “Manor,” by Seattle’s Kate Danley. is set in the Victorian era and written in the melodramatic style of a penny dreadful novel. Centering around the recently widowed Clara O’Hare (Lesley Gordon), the play is part Gothic romance and part paranormal mystery, incorporating haunted houses, ghosts, seances and supernatural demons. Horror maven pug Bujeaud, TAO’s artistic director, directs a cast that includes such familiar faces as Drew Doyle, Xander Layden, Hillary Lucero, Gabriel McClelland, Jenifer Rifenbery and John Serembe. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 24 and 30 and Nov. 2, 6 and 7; 9 p.m. Oct. 31 (preceded by a costume contest at 8 p.m.); and 2 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 and 8 at the new Oly Theater, 412 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia. Tickets (https://www.olytheater.com) are $15-$20. For the Oct. 23 performance, pay what you choose, with all proceeds going to the actors.
Timeless and timely theater at Harlequin
If you haven’t been to Harlequin Productions’ State Theater this month, you’re missing two powerful plays. Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” (https://harlequinproductions.org/show/our-town/), on stage through Sunday, Nov. 1, is a beloved classic, sometimes said to be the best play ever written by an American. It might be. (After all, to say that, you’d have to have seen or read every American play.) There’s no doubt, though, that it’s moving and memorable, a poignant reminder of the beauty and value of life’s smallest moments and of how fleeting each moment is. Teri Lee Thomas shines as the Stage Manager, the omniscient and arguably omnipotent narrator. But that’s not the only reason to head to the State Theater. “Sanctuary City,” written in 2020 by Pulitzer winner Martyna Majok, tells the heartbreaking tale of an immigrant trapped by circumstances and waiting in vain for life to begin. It closes Sunday, Oct. 25. What are you waiting for? Remaining performances of “Town” happen at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21, 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. Oct. 24 and 28 and Nov. 1 at the State Theater, 202 4th Ave. E, Olympia. “City” is on stage at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and 2 p.m. Oct. 25. Tickets for either show are $35-$49, with rush tickets available for $5-$24.50 two hours before showtimes. For the Oct. 24 and 29 performances of “Town” and the Oct. 23 performance of “City,” pay what you choose.
Molly Gilmore saw four plays and a variety show in the past week and is ready for more.
To keep track of what is happening in the arts in the South Puget Sound region, be sure to read Molly Gilmore’s weekly “Arts Aficionado” column in Oly Arts magazine. Subscribe to Oly Arts to receive an email when we publish new articles and columns.