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The comedy is an adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle鈥檚 1901 Sherlock Holmes novel, 鈥淭he Hound of the Baskervilles.鈥� Doyle鈥檚 mysteries were known for the clue deciphering of the smart Holmes, not their humor.

Ludwig is known for his frantic, farcical comedies (鈥淟end Me A Tenor鈥� is his most well-known).

In this, he keeps the clues and hews closely to the original story. But he adds the glitch that sparks the laughter: Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson are played by two actors; the remaining three cast members play about 40 characters.

The result is, while not frantic or farcical, very funny. Especially in the hands of this LTW cast, led by Stephen Frankenfield as Holmes. Frankenfield鈥檚 comic timing is pristine, and there is always a sense that the wheels are turning in his character鈥檚 head 鈥� which, of course, they would be in Holmes.

Eric Du infused his Dr. Watson with dignity and a certain pride in his ability to anticipate Holmes鈥� deductions. And Du exudes a natural warmth on stage.

Steve Wood, Matthew C. Copley and Debbie Runge handled the remaining nearly three dozen roles, and they did it with sometimes-strange accents, quick, onstage costume changes, and great abandon. Their antics provided the bulk of the humor.

The story, the third of Doyle鈥檚 Holmes novels, takes place in the spooky moors of England. It seems the heirs to a wealthy estate are being picked off one by one. And the murderer could well be the legendary 鈥� and perhaps not as mythical as many thought 鈥� hound with a wide streak of evil and supernatural powers.

The challenge intrigues Holmes, and he and Watson set off to solve the puzzle.

Director Christopher Moseley gave a clarity and fluidity to a play that changes scenes and characters nearly as quickly as clues are dropped in a Holmes novel. And speaking of scenes 鈥� Glen Bucy鈥檚 set design, which made use of pocket doors to change the backdrop and location, was pretty ingenious.

鈥淏askerville鈥� is not as madcap as one might expect, but it is still loads of fun.