It is time for a mystery this holiday season, and actor David Arquette plans to bring Sherlock Holmes to life.
Broadway in Chicago will present a somewhat younger version of Holmes, with this inspiration from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tales. Greg Kramer is the playwright, with Andrew Shaver directing. There is an 11-member acting troupe, including much of the Montreal cast. This bromance includes James Maslowfrom Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush and Dancing with the Starsas Dr. John Watson.
Arquette ( of the Scream film series ) has bounced back and forth between movies and television over a lengthy career. He became besties with the Muppets and turned tricks in the film Johns. He stayed "Friends" with Courtney Cox to make a production company and became a WCW world champion. He tackled Eight Legged Freaks and stuffed himself on Ravenous. With such a varied career, he brings all of that to the table this thanksgiving in Chicago.
Windy City Times: Hi, David. We met briefly at Lollapalooza a few years ago, when you were getting a tattoo.
David Arquette: Hilarious!
WCT: You are finally coming back to Chicago, this time as the grand marshal of the Thanksgiving parade. You have to practice your wave!
DA: I know. My cheeks are going to be so sore from smiling.
WCT: Those cheeks might be freezing, too. Tell our readers about your new Sherlock Holmes show.
DA: It is a different take on Sherlock Holmes. It is humorous and an over -the-top comedy. It has tones of Monty Python humor. Obviously, with me playing the part, you will expect it to be quirky. We have a great cast of Canadian actors. James Maslow, as Watson, and Renee Olstead, who plays Lady Irene St. John, are both wonderful actors.
WCT: Are there bits of prequel story in this production? Doesn't he discover the Sherlock Holmes hat?
DA: Yes; it is a wink and a nod to the deerstalker hat at the end of the play. We have fun with a few of the standard Sherlock Holmes' traits.
WCT: Was the English accent tough?
DA: [Laughs] It is. Sometimes I will say something like "I've been there" instead of "bean" there. I'm onstage and thinking, "Oh, that sounded American!" For the most part we have been flowing with it. We have a good pace going now so it moves right along.
WCT: Did you watch other actors who have played Sherlock Holmes?
DA: I did a little bit. I didn't want to be influenced too much but I did take a look at a bunch of the different portrayals. I think Benedict Cumberbatch [on TV's Sherlock] is just amazing and Jonny Lee Miller [on TV's Elementary] as well. I am bit convinced that it should only be played by English actors, but it is little late now! There is something about Sherlock that is so English folklore.
WCT: Are there elements of Cirque du Soleil in it, with James Lavoie designing it?
DA: There are a few little gags and physical comedy moments, for sure.
WCT: I heard you're growing out your eyebrows, so no manscaping on this tour?
DA: [Laughs] NoI am looking so creepy. Long eyebrows are so weird but it is a bit of an English thing. In one of the stories he was described as having beetle brows. I am not quite there yet but they are getting out of control.
WCT: This is not your first play. You did Rocky Horror Picture Show?
DA: That was really fun. I got to play Frank-N-Furter. I made a really tragic transvestite. My gams are too big to be in high heels. I learned how to wear pasties, which is something that will hopefully come in handy one day…
WCT: What is one thing you have learned from your transgender sibling, Alexis Arquette?
DA: I learned so much. Alexis is one of the most creative geniuses I have ever met. She is so artistic and so funny. Her Facebook feed comes up with the craziest stuff. She is such a character.
WCT: Your family is so talented. I remember seeing your sister Rosanna in Desperately Seeking Susan. Did you ever meet Madonna?
DA: Yeah, a few times.
WCT: Do you remember my favorite movie your sister Patricia did, Wildflower?
DA: Yes, that was amazing. She was wonderful in that. There was also a very young Reese Witherspoon in the film as well.
WCT: Diane Keaton directed that.
DA: Patricia speaks very highly of Diane Keaton.
WCT: You have done so much with wrestling, a rock band and all the acting. Would you ever write a book about your life?
DA: I have thought about it. Patricia is actually writing one right now. We have some interesting stories.
WCT: I bet there are some good family stories. Would you ever do a reality show such as the Kardashians but with the Arquettes?
DA: It would have to be the right thing. We have been talking about my club Bootsy Bellows. It would be more following the bottle service people and the promoters. I would be more of the ringmaster of it.
WCT: It would be like Bravo's Vanderpump Rules.
DA: A little bit, yeah.
WCT: What movies do you have coming up?
DA: Bone Tomahawk is out now in theaters and On Demand. It is a crazy, horror thriller with Kurt Russell set in the wild West. I get to open the film, which is fun.
I am also in a movie called Sold. It is about human trafficking. It has a real charitable component to it to raise awareness. We have to end this crazy business.
WCT: Any thoughts on the passing of Wes Craven, who you must have been close with from all of the Scream movies?
DA: I loved Wes. He was such a sweetheart. I learned so much from him as a man and a director. He really mentored a lot of people. He was pivotal in my career and my relationship. I miss him.
WCT: Celebrity Name Game, that you executive-produced, is a huge hit.
DA: It has been great. This is our second season so we are waiting to see if we get picked up for a third. People are really loving it and it is a fun show. It is pretty awesome to win people like 20 grand!
WCT: Does Sherlock Holmes continue after the Chicago run?
DA: We take a break after Chicago. We then regroup and figure out what the next step is to maybe tour wider.
WCT: Is Broadway on the radar?
DA: Oh, man. I would love to play Broadway at one point in my life!
The show runs Nov. 24-29 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets and show times can be found at broadwayinchicago.com/show/sherlock-holmes/ .