THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR OCT 26 - NOV 1 

• Courtesy Photo

Plan-B: Radio Hour: Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem
Among the most unique local theatrical traditions is Plan-B Theatre Company's annual Radio Hour presentation, which for 17 installments has celebrated the style of vintage radio drama with both original plays and adaptations of classics by Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley and more. For nearly a decade, however, these productions have lacked one component: a live audience. This year, Plan-B invites spectators back into the theater to share the performance of the 2023 Radio Hour production, Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem.

As written by longtime Radio Hour contributor Matthew Ivan Bennett, this tale of the legendary literary detective finds RadioWest host Doug Fabrizio (pictured) returning to the role of Holmes that he portrayed in 2012's Sherlock Holmes and the Blue Carbuncle. It's a take on Holmes that finds his powers of deduction somewhat less perfect that usual, and a Dr. Watson (Isabella Reeder) who's not a man. And the detective's arch-nemesis Moriarty (Jay Perry) presents a challenge that Holmes and Watson aren't entirely sure they can meet. With original music by Radio Hour stalwart David Evanoff and all the distinctive sound and production components of the golden age of radio, it offers plenty of reason to join the fun in person.

Plan-B Theatre Company's Radio Hour production of Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem runs for two performances only on Friday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., in the Rose Wagner Center Jeanne Wagner Theater (138 W. 300 South). Tickets are $25 general admission, $15 student. Both performances will also be simulcast live on KUER's RadioWest (90.1 FM). Visit planbtheatre.org for tickets and additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

• Courtesy Photo

Eddie Izzard
Any attempt to pin down actor, activist, athlete and comedian Eddie Izzard is bound to end in failure. It's fitting, then, that Izzard's current comedy tour—dubbed "The Remix Live"—allows opportunity to reprise many of the signature roles and routines that Izzard has made famous over the course of a 35-year career.

Yet even with those stellar achievements aside, Izzard's an iconoclastic individual, one who has a very clear personal perspective when it comes politics, religion, acting and activism. Once self-identifying as a transvestite, Izzard has subsequently said she's genderfluid, and now prefers to be referred to in feminine terms. Regardless, Izzard is best judged on her accomplishments—stand-up comedy tours, movies, voice-over roles and live stage—which, in turn, have garnered two Prime Time Emmy Awards and a Tony Award nomination.

A risk-taker in both public and private, Izzard competed in a series of marathons in rapid succession to support worthy causes. Clearly, she has plenty to reminisce about, notably in the form of rambling, free-wheeling, stream of consciousness monologues that recount what Izzard terms her "weird and crazy comedy stories." The indulgence is certainly worthwhile; once ranked third in a list of the 100 Greatest British National Comedians, Izzard was also named a public language champion by readers of Britain's highly-respected Guardian newspaper.

Clearly, Izzard's an individual with something to say, and the ability to effectively express it as well. Eddie Izzard brings The Remix Live tour to Delta Hall at the Eccles Theater (131 S. Main St.) on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.. Tickets cost $55 - $65 at arttix.org. (Lee Zimmerman)

• Liz Whittaker

Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera
More than a decade ago, college roommates Ryan Hayes and Garrett Sherwood had a crazy notion for a dialogue-free rock opera built around a romantic tale from beyond the grave. The modest beginnings of that concept—the initial performance took place in the living room of one of the performers—have given way to a show that has become something of a Utah Halloween tradition, always evolving with new songs and new flourishes.

The centerpiece of the story remains the narrative of Constance, a widowed woman trying to move on with her life and a new romantic partner, Friedrich. But Constance unexpectedly finds herself confronted by her dead lover, Old Bones, who expects her to remain faithful to him even beyond the grave. The story that follows emerges not from their words, but from the energetic soundtrack of songs, blending rock, blues and folk motifs.

As the production's director Liz Whittaker notes, "While most of us haven't experienced the things these characters do, who among us doesn't have some part of our past that haunts us? Who among us hasn't felt jealous? Who among us hasn't been afraid of love? This story stands as a thrilling and engaging warning of what happens when we listen to the ghosts that whisper darkness to us, and believe darkness to be the only truth."

Deep Love comes to the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center (2525 Taylorsville Blvd., Taylorsville) on Monday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30; visit arttix.org to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (SR)