The Williams Baptist University Theatre Department opens its 2025-26 season in November with the comedic mystery, Moriarty.  The production will be staged Thursday through Friday, November 6-8, in WBU’s Startup Chapel.

The play is written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Melinda Williams, assistant professor of communication arts at WBU.

Moriarty features senior T.J. Bedgood as Sherlock Holmes.  “T.J. came into the theatre program kind of late in his career as a WBU student,” Williams stated.  “But, he has made up for his late arrival in the roles he has successfully portrayed on stage.”  

Bedgood, who is from Paragould, Ark., first appeared in The Mousetrap last fall and in the spring production of Mrs. California.

The plot centers around an investigation into the Bohemian king’s stolen letters, which evolves into an international mystery filled with spies, blackmail, and intrigue. The king is played by Evan Tucker of Brookland, Ark. 

With world peace at stake, Holmes and Watson, played by Macy Miller of Jonesboro, Ark.,  join forces with American actress Irene Adler, played by Kendal LeQuieu of  Cabot, Ark., to take down criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty, played by Kade Carter of Bono, Ark., and his network of henchmen.

Also appearing in the show are Kenley Smith of Bay, Ark., and Emily Whyte of Ellis, Kan., playing Holmes’ helpers, Cartwright and Milker.  Molly Tabor of Walnut Ridge, Ark., Chloe Mears of Paragould, Ark., Riley Sipes of Dyersburg, Tenn., Isaiah Doty of Pocahontas, Ark., Alyssa Burnett of Bald Knob, Ark., and Ashtyn Wright of Jonesboro, Ark., take on multiple roles in the production.

The mystery unfolds Thursday through Saturday, November 6-8, at 7:30 p.m. in Startup Chapel. Admission is $3 for students and senior citizens, and $5 general admission. 

Advance tickets are available through this link: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=7a6c017c-515e-4d61-858d-db2c343a412b&envId=p-Eng-CUgTikG8qgA-ni3dxQ&zone=usa

Tickets will also be available at the door.