Pierson High School theater students solve a mystery

Pierson High School theater students recently completed their performance of Ken Ludwig’s
“Baskerville: a Sherlock Holmes Mystery.” The play incorporated wit, charm and suspense as
Sherlock Holmes, played by senior Jackie Iulo, and John Watson, played by junior Sabrina
McManus, solved a murder mystery alongside five supporting actors, Daniella Andrago, Lila
Osborn, Hannah Salzar Sierra, Ashley Bueston Perez and Jack Grzan who together played over
30 roles.
The play was directed by Keith Holden who was assisted by Assistant Director, Gigi Papazian, a
freshman at Pierson High School. Taking place in London and Devonshire during the late 1890s,
the students delighted their audience with humor and mystery. The occasional appearance of an
actor within the audience’s seating area, and intentional interactions with the stage crew, made
the play a unique experience for all who attended.
“This play really focused on comedy and was very interactive with the stage crew who were a
huge part in adding to that humor,” said Iulo.
Iulo, who has been acting in plays and musicals since she was 4 years old, was selected for the
iconic role of Ms. Sherlock Holmes. As it was, Holmes and Watson worked together to find clues
and solve the mystery of the consecutive deaths of the Baskerville men. Was the culprit due to
the family curse involving a wild hound, or foul play?
A senior, Iulo said she was going to miss the people at Pierson and the fun, less technical nature
of high school performances. Currently sending digital auditions in for acting schools, Iulo looks
to make acting and singing her full-time career. She is currently recording monologues and
singing examples to submit to schools in areas such as Boston, NYC and Pennsylvania for
admission in fall 2025.