Mystery Meets Holiday Magic in A Sherlock Carol!

What happens when the world’s greatest detective steps into the world of Charles Dickens? A Sherlock Carol by Mark Shanahan brings Sherlock Holmes and Tiny Tim together in a clever, heartwarming holiday mystery that’s part whodunit, part Christmas tale, and entirely delightful for audiences of all ages.

Moriarty is dead, and Sherlock Holmes is a haunted man. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the mysterious death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the great detective must use his skills to solve a Dickens of a Christmas mystery.

We are delighted to announce the cast bringing this inventive holiday story to life:

Jay Tilley* as Sherlock Holmes
Mytheos Holt* as Scrooge
Tom Gallagher* as Tim Cratchit
Elizabeth Morales* as The Countess of Morcar
Emma Morales* as Emma Wiggins
Marissa Dolcich* as Mrs. Dilber
George Willis as Inspector Lestrade
Avery Morstan* as Actor One
Teresa Preston as Actor Two
Bill Bodie as Dr. Watson & Actor Three
Anne Shively* as Actor Four

(*Denotes Providence Players debut)

Join us for a theatrical holiday treat filled with mystery, humor, and heart as A Sherlock Carol opens December 12.

Buy Tickets for A Sherlock Carol

About the Director

Bob Smith (Director) was Theatre Director at Fairfax High School for almost two decades and has directed over fifty productions in high school, college, professional, and community settings. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from The University of Texas at Austin. He served on the Executive Board of Virginia Thespians for over thirty years. He was responsible for the creation of the Stage Combat program in Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts and pioneered the utilization of Computer Assisted Design for Theatre in Fairfax County Public Schools. In his retirement, he continues to work with Virginia Thespians and was an Adjudicator for the Glamies program in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties last year.

Performance Dates & Times

Evening Performances: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., December 12–20
Matinees: Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., December 13, 14, 20, and 21

Audition Announcement: “A Sherlock Carol” September 29-30

By Mark Shanahan

Directed by Bob Smith

Sign Up to Audition

Providence Players is casting 6 to 10 performers (4-6 Male, 2-4 female – some performers will play multiple
characters of a variety of ages.) The casting of singing extras is possible, as well as a fiddle player or two. No roles are precast and all roles are open. All backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition.

Providence Players of Fairfax is:

• A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
• A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax ($25 per individual or $60 per family – three or more) for the season (if not already a member).

Audition Dates

• 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2025
• 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2025

PLEASE RSVP! Complete the Sherlock Carol Audition Form to let us know you’re coming.

If you are unable to fill out the online form, please email info@providenceplayers.org to RSVP and fill out and print this paper form and bring it with you to the audition.

Resumes and headshots will be accepted but are not required. We may ask to take a picture of you, but this is for internal use only and will not be shared.

Actors who audition one night may be asked to come back a second night, if available. You are not required to be available multiple evenings to be considered. The Director reserves the right to extend the audition period pending initial audition response. Callbacks (by invitation only) will be held on October 1.

Audition Location

James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Rd
Falls Church, VA 22042

Enter through the main lobby and follow signs to the audition room.

Audition Process & Sides

Most PPF auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. As space allows, you will be able to watch all the auditions. You may be asked to go into the hallway with audition partners and work a bit on a scene.  We will do our best to get you up multiple times reading with different he/she combinations. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to interested and engaged actors.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from sides as noted in previous audition notices.

Actors should be prepared to sing a short a-cappella Christmas carol of their choice in addition to the reading. If any can play a fiddle, please be prepared to play a short piece of your choice.

You can review the sides in advance at this link.

Cast of Characters

Note: age refers to stage/character age. Actors in real life can be older or younger in reality but need to believably pass for the age of the character.

• SHERLOCK HOLMES (Male presenting as mid to late 40s) The World’s Foremost Consulting Detective, in decline.
• EBENEZER SCROOGE (Male presenting as 70s+) Formerly a miser. One Christmas, Scrooge is transformed into as good a man as the good old city ever knew. (Also is noted as A GHOSTLY VOICE.)
• ACTOR ONE (Male presenting as a variety of ages) – Dr. Cratchit may be split as a separate performer.
  • DR. TIMOTHY CRATCHIT. Tiny Tim, all grown up. Now, a doctor at St. Bernard’s
    Hospital for Children. He speaks with a more refined accent than his sister.
  • MR. TOPPER. The manager of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. A bit older, a bit
    pompous. Easily irritated. Supposedly a friend of Fred, Scrooge’s nephew.
  • RALPH FEZZIWIG. A nervous, wiry young man. The misfit member of a proud
    family. Engaged to Fannie.
  • CONSTABLE BRADSTREET. A seemingly upstanding member of Scotland Yard.
• ACTOR TWO (Female presenting as a variety of ages and one male character) – Emma Wiggins may be split as a separate performer.
  • EMMA WIGGINS. A good-spirited and brave 13-year-old, she is a former Baker
    Street Irregular.
  • FAN “FANNIE” GARDNER. Scrooge’s grandniece. A refined young woman, she works backstage at the theatre in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Engaged to Ralph
    Fezziwig.
  • INSPECTOR LESTRADE. Blustery, easily confounded member of Scotland Yard.
    He has grudging respect for Holmes.
  • MRS. WINDIGATE. A Scottish tavern-keeper and member of the Goose Club.
    Giggly, a whirlwind.
• ACTOR THREE (Male presenting as a variety of ages and one female character) – Dr. Watson may be split as a separate performer.
  • DR. WATSON. Sherlock Holmes’ best and most loyal friend. The Boswell to Holmes’ Johnson.
  • MRS. DILBER. Mr. Scrooge’s housekeeper of over 30 years. An emotional creature with a connection to the spiritual realm.
  • HENRY BURKE. An Irish candlemaker, an old friend of Mr. Scrooge.
  • OLD JOE BRACKENRIDGE. The owner of Old Joe’s in Covent Garden. Gruff, a
    born salesman.
• ACTOR FOUR (Female presenting as a variety of ages) – The Countess of Morcar may
  be split as a separate performer
  • CAROLER. A cheerful person in the street.
  • ELDERLY WOMAN. A London lady.
  • THE COUNTESS OF MORCAR. American. An old love of Holmes' who also
    goes by another name, Irene Adler.
  • MARTHA CRATCHIT. Tough and a bit lower-class than her brother. She is as
    smart and observant as any detective she might happen to meet.
  • MARY MORSTAN. Watson’s elegant and brave wife.
  • ABIGAIL “ABBY” FEZZIWIG. Runs a business fattening geese for market. She
    is no-nonsense and direct-a proud member of the hardworking Fezziwig family.

About the Play

Performance Dates and Times

Preview:  Thursday, December 11, 2025; 7:00 PM
Evening Performances:  Thurs., Fri. & Sat., December 12-20, 2025; 7:30 PM
Matinees:  Saturdays & Sundays, December 13, 14, 20 & 21; 2:00 PM

Synopsis

After being reported dead, Sherlock Holmes returns to his beloved London. The citizenry hails his return and he is immediately beset with calls for assistance on a variety of mysteries including the murder of that pillar of society, Ebeneezer Scrooge. Unfortunately, Holmes is no longer the man he was and he must deal with his own ghosts before he can help anyone else.

From the Director

Download a copy of the Sherlock Carol Theater Access Calendar for this show. This is NOT the specific rehearsal schedule (which will be supplied by the Stage Manager), but it will give you an idea for the commitment you are making in terms of rehearsals and performances, and how to identify conflicts.

The calendar will not be set until after casting is complete. Actors may presume two nights a week and Saturdays. Cast will be expected to have significant portions of the script memorized prior to the start of the regular rehearsal process and some sections of the script will be recorded for playback during the performances (hence those sections will not be live in the final form).

Please come to auditions prepared to list any availability conflicts with rehearsal or the performance schedule. Space is provided on the audition form for this purpose.

About the Director

Bob Smith (Director) was Theatre Director at Fairfax High School for almost two decades and has directed over fifty productions in high school, college, professional, and community settings. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from The University of Texas at Austin. He served on the Executive Board of Virginia Thespians for over thirty years. He was responsible for the creation of the Stage Combat program in Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts and pioneered the utilization of Computer Assisted Design
for Theatre in Fairfax County Public Schools. In his retirement, he continues to work with Virginia Thespians and was an Adjudicator for the Glamies program in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties last year.

We look forward to seeing you at Auditions! RSVP at this link!

The Cast Is Set for The Mousetrap

A blizzard rages. The roads are closed. There’s no way out.

At Monkswell Manor, a group of strangers is trapped by the snow—and one of them is a murderer.

We’re thrilled to announce the cast who will bring Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunit to life this October. This talented ensemble will keep you guessing—and second-guessing—from the first act to the final gasp.

The Suspects:

Mollie Preston – Kate Bierly*

Giles Preston – John Paul Odle

Christopher Wren – Joshua Mutterperl*

Mrs. Boyle – Gayle Grimes

Major Metcalf – Kirk Lambert*

Miss Casewell – Abby Smith*

Mr. Paravicini – K Sridhar*

Sgt. Trotter – Bruce Alan Rauscher

* denotes Providence Players debut

The investigation begins October 10.
Your ticket is your invitation to the crime of the season—watch closely, trust no one, and don’t be late.

Buy Tickets for The Mousetrap
Purchase Season Tickets

About the Director

Eleanore Tapscott is a classically trained actress and director who has worked with various metro-DC theatres. Her previous productions include Playing Juliet/Casting Othello for Providence Players, Radio Golf for Peace Mountain Theatre, The Nacirema Society…, The Fantasticks and Fences for Little Theatre of Alexandria, The Bluest Eye for Dominion Stage, and Alabama Story (Ruby Griffith Award for All Around Production Excellence) and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for Colonial Players. She has also directed Leading Ladies for Vienna Theatre Company, and Bus Stop and The Count of Monte Cristo for ACCT.

Performance Dates & Times

Evening Performances: October 10–25, Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Matinees: October 12 & 19 at 2:00 p.m.

James Lee Community Center Theater
Falls Church, VA

Audition Announcement: “The Mousetrap” August 4-5

By Agatha Christie

Directed by Eleanore Tapscott

Sign Up to Audition

Providence Players is casting 8 roles (3 female, 5 male).  No roles are precast, and all roles are open. All backgrounds, ages, ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition!

Providence Players of Fairfax is:

• A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
• A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax ($25 per individual or $60 per family – three or more) for the season (if not already a member).

Audition Dates

• 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 4, 2025
• 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2025

PLEASE RSVP! Complete the Mousetrap Audition Form to let us know you’re coming.

If you are unable to fill out the online form, please email info@providenceplayers.org to RSVP and fill out and print this paper form and bring it with you to the audition.

Resumes and headshots will be accepted but are not required. We may ask to take a picture of you, but this is for internal use only and will not be shared.

Actors who audition one night may be asked to come back a second night, if available. You are not required to be available multiple evenings to be considered. The Director reserves the right to extend the audition period pending initial audition response. Callbacks (by invitation only) will be held on August 6.

Audition Location

James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Rd
Falls Church, VA 22042

Auditions will be held in the Theater.

Audition Process & Sides

Most PPF auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. As space allows, you will be able to watch all the auditions. You may be asked to go into the hallway with audition partners and work a bit on a scene.  We will do our best to get you up multiple times reading with different he/she combinations. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to interested and engaged actors.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and a bit of fun with some nursery rhymes. Audition sides and nursery rhymes can be found here.

British dialect will be used (a dialect coach will be available during the rehearsal process) with the exception of Paravacini, who may sound Italian or French.

Cast of Characters

Note: age refers to stage/character age. Actors in real life can be older or younger in reality but need to believably pass for the age of the character.

• MOLLIE RALSTON (Female presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) The pleasant young owner of Monkswell Manor; anxious about hosting the inn’s first guests; married to Giles for one year. She has “an ingenuous air,” which is to say she comes off as innocent and often unsuspecting.
• GILES RALSTON (Male presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) Owns Monkswell Manor with his wife Mollie, whom he loves; somewhat arrogant and jealous of the other guests’ attentions toward Mollie. His arrogance covers his overprotectiveness of his wife.
• CHRISTOPHER WREN (Male presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) The first guest to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a hyperactive young man who acts in a very peculiar manner. Wren claims to have been named after the architect of the same name by his parents. A bit flighty and somewhat neurotic. He is both quirky and vulnerable. And a little mysterious.
• MRS. BOYLE (Female presenting; Age 40s+.) Mrs. Boyle is an imposing woman in a bad temper; she complains about everything. She is disapproving of every effort that Mollie and Giles produce to make her comfortable. She is retired, ancient, grumpy, unpleasant. If there’s a kind bone in her body, she hides it well.
• MAJOR METCALF (Male presenting; Age 50s+.) Major Metcalf is a middle-aged, typical, retired, square-shouldered, British military officer. He is friendly and very polite, and serves as a good counter to Mrs. Boyle.
• MISS CASEWELL (Female presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) An edgy, aloof, somewhat tomboyish woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood. She keeps her cards close to the vest and remains aloof… and a little mysterious.
• MR. PARAVICINI (Male presenting; Age 40s+.) A man of unknown origin and age who turns up claiming his car has overturned in a snowdrift. He is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma… with an indeterminate accent. He’s also a little mysterious.
• SGT. TROTTER (Male presenting; Age late 20s to early 40s.) Detective Sergeant Trotter is a cheerful, common-place person who arrives at the guest house on skis to investigate a local murder. Determined to get to the bottom of things, who is dogged in his pursuit of the truth.

About the Play

Performance Dates and Times

Preview:  Thursday, October 9, 2025; 7:00 PM
Evening Performances:  Thurs., Fri. & Sat., October 10-25, 2025; 7:30 PM
Matinees:  Sundays, October 12 & 19, 2025; 2:00 PM

Synopsis

Amidst a fierce snowstorm, Monkswell Manor becomes an unlikely refuge for a group of strangers, each seeking shelter from the blizzard—and from a recent murder in town. As the storm rages on, it becomes clear that the killer is among them. Paranoia sets in, and suspicion clouds every interaction. Enter a sharp-witted police detective, who arrives on skis and begins questioning the house’s inhabitants: a pair of newlyweds managing the estate; a reclusive spinster with a mysterious past; an architect who seems better suited to a kitchen than a drafting table; a retired Army major with a sharp tongue; a peculiar man whose car has “overturned” in the snow; and a grumpy jurist who ruffles everyone’s feathers. When a second murder shocks the manor, tensions reach a boiling point. With danger looming, can the detective uncover the murderer before another victim is claimed?

From the Director

Rehearsals

Download a copy of the Mousetrap Theater Access Calendar for this show. This is NOT the specific rehearsal schedule (which will be supplied by the Stage Manager), but it will give you an idea for the commitment you are making in terms of rehearsals and performances, and how to identify conflicts.

Stage rehearsals begin September 9, 2025. In addition to the stage rehearsal schedule, cast readings of the play and some selected scene study and character work may be scheduled based on actor availability prior to the stage schedule. The schedule for these rehearsals will be finalized soon after casting. Unless indicated otherwise, all rehearsals will happen at the James Lee Community Center. Rehearsals will be held in the evenings from roughly 6:30/6:45 to 9:45 pm usually two to three weeknights and Saturday afternoons. There will likely be more rehearsal dates the closer it gets to opening. 

Please come to auditions prepared to list any availability conflicts with rehearsal or the performance schedule. Space is provided on the audition form for this purpose.

About the Director

Eleanore Tapscott (Director) is a classically trained actress and director who has worked with various metro-DC theatres. Previous productions include Playing Juliet/Casting Othello for Providence Players,  Radio Golf for Peace Mountain Theatre, The Nacirema Society…, The Fantasticks and Fences for Little Theatre of Alexandria, The Bluest Eye for Dominion Stage, and  Alabama Story (Ruby Griffith Award for All Around Production Excellence)  and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for Colonial Players, Leading Ladies for Vienna Theatre Company, Bus Stop and The Count of Monte Cristo for ACCT.

We look forward to seeing you at Auditions! RSVP at this link!

We are thrilled to announce the dynamic cast of Shooting Star, the final production of our 2024-2025 season. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as two talented actors bring this romantic comedy to life: Andra Whitt and Rob Gorman.

Andra Whitt stars as Elena Carson, a woman whose life takes an unexpected turn after being snowed in overnight at a Midwestern airport. Elena’s reunion with a former lover sets the stage for a night filled with laughter, reflection, and the rekindling of old emotions. Andra, a familiar face on the Providence Players stage, has captivated audiences in productions such as Silent Sky, Side Man, Other Desert Cities, You Can’t Take It With You, and Rumors. Her depth and authenticity in portraying complex characters promise to make Elena’s journey of rediscovery one you won’t want to miss.

Rob Gorman makes his debut with the Providence Players as Reed McAllister, a man whose predictable life is thrown into turmoil by this surprising encounter with Elena. As Reed grapples with his past and present, Rob will bring an irresistible mix of vulnerability and charm to the role, making this reunion one you’ll want to see unfold. We can’t wait for you to experience Rob’s rich emotional range and captivating stage presence.

Directed by John Coscia, Shooting Star is a story about the twists and turns life throws at us, the choices we make, and the moments that change everything. Set in the intimate setting of an airport terminal, this play explores the magic of unexpected connections and the power of second chances. With humor, heart, and a little bit of sparkle, Shooting Star is sure to leave you thinking long after the final curtain falls.

Tickets

Tickets for Shooting Star are on sale now! Be sure to get yours soon!

Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
June 6 – 21
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
June 8 &15

We can’t wait to see you there!

About the Director

John Coscia is a founding member and past board member of PPF. He has appeared on this stage many times over the past 20 years and has been nominated for, and won, many WATCH awards for his acting, directing, set designs and set construction. John directed the PPF 2014 production of Of Mice and Men.

Providence Players is excited to announce the cast for our upcoming production of 2 Across by Jerry Mayer, an eighty-minute ride filled with hilarious, witty, and romantic banter.

Cast:

• Josh — Aaron Truax
• Janet — Elizabeth Keith

Elizabeth has been a familiar face to Providence Players audiences, having appeared in several productions over the years, including Almost, Maine, The Glass Mendacity, and, most recently, Surviving Grace. We’re excited to see her bring Janet to life on stage.

Aaron, who joined Providence Players for the first time last year as Juror #7 in the WATCH Award-nominated production of Twelve Angry Jurors, returns to our stage in this heartfelt two-person play.

We can’t wait to see the chemistry between Elizabeth and Aaron in this charming, witty story!

Tickets

Tickets for 2 Across are on sale now! Be sure to get yours soon!

Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
March 21 – April 5
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
March 23 & 30

We can’t wait to see you there!

About the Director

Barbara Gertzog has been active in Community Theater in the DC Metro area as an actor and in numerous production roles backstage for over 25 years. She has performed in many roles at PPF, and recently with Little Theater of Alexandria (LTA) and Stagecoach TC, among others. This is her 4th directorial venture, all for PPF, including The Shadow Box, which was the Ruby Griffith Award recipient for best play (2011-12 season). Barbara is an avid student in the theater arts and recently completed courses in character study at LTA and the Theater Lab. She is a graduate of Drew University (Pol Sci and English) and American University Law School. Barbara has had a successful banking career, while always making sure to take a “literary approach” to the numbers.

On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Dave Wright is pleased to announce the cast of Twelve Angry Jurors, book by Reginald Rose and adapted by Sherman L. Sergel.

This dramatic “twist and turn” court drama tells the story of twelve jurors charged with the unenviable task of deciding a young man’s fate. Accused of brutally murdering his father, the young man’s life hangs in the balance as a jury of his peers battle reasonable doubt, prejudice, and their own morality in a cramped, overheated deliberation room. Tempers flare as the reality of a death sentence weighs on the minds of these twelve strangers, the life or death of the accused foisted upon them. Guilty or not guilty. Life or death. Freedom or damnation. Each juror must vote. Based on Twelve Angry Men, the 1954 Emmy-winning television movie by Reginald Rose.  Tickets on sale now!

CAST
* denotes Providence Players debut

Juror #1 – John Paul Odle*
Juror #2 – Liz Owerbach*
Juror #3 – Bruce Alan Rauscher
Juror #4 – Ann Brodnax
Juror #5 – Jess Rawls*
Juror #6 – Mike Rudden
Juror #7 – Aaron Truax*
Juror #8 – Eric Kennedy*
Juror #9 – Gayle Nichols-Grimes
Juror #10 – Allen McRae
Juror #11 – Roxanne Waite
Juror #12 – Ursula Burgess*

About the Director

Dave Wright has been involved in theatre throughout the DMV for over 30 years. As a director, his credits include “The Foreigner” with CCT and “The Nerd” with Vpstart Crow. In addition, Dave was the Regional Director for Murder Mystery Players from 1999-2010, and is also the creator/moderator of professional improv troupe Last Ham Standing. Onstage, Dave was most recently seen as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple at Aldersgate and was also part of the W.A.T.C.H. Award winning ensemble of Don’t Dress For Dinner at PPF last June. Dave would like to thank his beautiful wife Angey and amazing daughters Kenzie, Emma and Maddy for their unconditional love and support.