By Catawba College senior Savannah Shaver, a Musical Theatre major
Come and join in the experience of picking your brain during Catawba College’s production of “The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence” playing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 12 through Saturday, February 16 in the Florence Busby Corriher Theatre on campus. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
“The Santa Maria Times” describes this play as “a unique modern drama,” with “analytical characters ... often with a good deal of insight.”
Audience-goers should be prepared to allow themselves to be taken on a cognitive journey through the eyes of four different Watsons - the trusty comrade of Sherlock Holmes, Watson; the truehearted engineer of Bell’s first telephone, Watson; the indomitable supercomputer that became reigning “Jeopardy” champion, Watson; and, of course, the amicable techno-minded nerd who is in search of love, Watson.
The cast includes freshman Robby Matlock of Greenville, S.C., as Watson; junior Krissey Browder of Wilkesboro, N.C., as Eliza; and sophomore Isaac Haney of Millboro, Va., as Merrick.
According to cast member Robby Matlock, Watson tends to genuinely care for others and always puts others before himself. “I hope the audience takes away that even though it may be difficult to help others, in the end, they are going to remember that you took your time to help them along their journey in life.”
Some of Matlock’s favorite quotes from his character include, “We all suffer from moments of insufficiency where we must look to others to supplement our strength,” and “It is always a stroke of luck to connect with another, even briefly. Even if the outcome is difficult.”
Fellow cast-mate Isaac Haney shared, “As a cast, we have joked a lot about how many words there are in this script, which is true when you only have three actors to carry a two-act show. It has been so much fun to delve into the language of this show and explore how deliberate playwright Madeleine George was in crafting these lines and the parallels between the various characters.”
Haney hopes that audience walks away with a sense of connection to others that all human beings need due to the struggle of aloneness from the play.
Show crew members include Professor Beth Homan, Director; Jordon Giffin of Kernersville, Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager; Professor David Pulliam, Set Design; Professor Erin B. Dougherty, Costume Design; Kelly Sandeval of Santa Fe, N.M., Lighting Design; TaySean Holbrooks of Winston-Salem, Sound Design; Nilya Holcomb of Garner, Stage Manager; Matthew Windsor of Mooresville, Master Carpenter; Amery Barton of Salisbury, Carpenter; Sarah Rasey of Holly Springs, First Hand; Grace Rodriguez of Greensboro, Charge Scenic Artist and Wardrobe/Makeup Operations; Charles Karvon of Concord, Scenic Artist; Zac Karvon of Concord, Master Electrician; Brielle Jobe of Frederick, Md., Electrician; Nunna Noe or Elfland, Props Master; Yeimy Zelaya Jimenes of Kannapolis, Audio 1; Edward Stockman of Frederick, Md., Video 1; Savannah Shaver of Salisbury, Publicity; Anna Green of Lincolnton, Light Board Operator; Miranda Sibbett of Whiteville, Stage Operations Crew; Sarah Engle of Concord, Stage Operations Crew; Donna Owens of Reidsville, Wardrobe/Makeup Operations; and Mackenzie Cloninger of Mooresville, Box Office.
This modern cautionary tale will examine the wildly fast technological advances in relation to human drawbacks, and perhaps, the mystery of the human heart. It will certainly offer a look at the evolutionary journey through Watsons’ time.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior adults and non-Catawba students, while Catawba students, faculty and staff are admitted for free. Tickets are available online at www.catawba.edu/theatretix, or through the Box Office at (704) 637-4481.
NOTE: Adult content and themes are present in this production. If you or someone you are with might be sensitive to such issues, please proceed watching the play with awareness. A handgun is also present in this production, but it is not fired.
