Prima Donna

by Chris Leyva

Irene Adler battles her infamous reputation as "The Woman who outsmarted Sherlock Holmes" and reclaims her story. It's the story of a "nobody" becoming a "somebody" who realizes she was never a "nobody" to begin with. Irene leads us through her rise from poverty to fame as an opera singer, her ill-fated love affair with a prince, and her quest for revenge that puts her in the crosshairs of the legendary Sherlock...

Irene Adler battles her infamous reputation as "The Woman who outsmarted Sherlock Holmes" and reclaims her story. It's the story of a "nobody" becoming a "somebody" who realizes she was never a "nobody" to begin with. Irene leads us through her rise from poverty to fame as an opera singer, her ill-fated love affair with a prince, and her quest for revenge that puts her in the crosshairs of the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Through the twists and turns of this story, Irene learns to love herself and proves that she is much more than just a side character in someone else’s story. The play explores the themes of disguise, class, gender, the personas we are forced to craft to get ahead, and finding your own self-worth.

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Prima Donna

Recommended by

  • Keegan Doyle: Prima Donna

    Chris Leyva’s Prima Donna is thought-provoking, sharp, and accessible! Each role is a delight, and each scene a new opportunity for its wit and compassion to pull you further into its world. Irene Adler and Pamela Proctor are energetically realized and enviably scene-chewing.

    Prima Donna’s comedy is an open invitation into its deconstruction of tropes and expectations that the audience can easily hook onto. It elevates itself beyond mere deconstruction through smart navigation of (and independence from) its source material.

    Chris Leyva’s Prima Donna is thought-provoking, sharp, and accessible! Each role is a delight, and each scene a new opportunity for its wit and compassion to pull you further into its world. Irene Adler and Pamela Proctor are energetically realized and enviably scene-chewing.

    Prima Donna’s comedy is an open invitation into its deconstruction of tropes and expectations that the audience can easily hook onto. It elevates itself beyond mere deconstruction through smart navigation of (and independence from) its source material.

  • Anne G. Morgan: Prima Donna

    Theatrical and thought-provoking, Prima Donna is a new, original, imaginative story built on the foundation of an older tale. The play offers rich opportunities for actors and theater artists to play, and its fresh and energetic writing is sure to engage audiences.

    Theatrical and thought-provoking, Prima Donna is a new, original, imaginative story built on the foundation of an older tale. The play offers rich opportunities for actors and theater artists to play, and its fresh and energetic writing is sure to engage audiences.

Character Information

  • Irene Adler
    an opera singer with a flair for the dramatic at all times.
    Character Age
    30-50
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Pamela
    cunning and whip-smart, waiting for her day in the sun.
    Character Age
    20-40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Sherlock Holmes
    a detective with a penchant for disguises and observation.
    Character Age
    40's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Wilhelm von Ormstein
    the crown prince (and later king) of Bohemia. He’s charming, but has his own issues.
    Character Age
    30-50
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Godfrey Norton
    a lawyer and confidant to Irene and Pamela.
    Character Age
    40's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • John Watson
    a doctor and assistant to Sherlock. Doubled with Proper Drunk Man and the Clergyman.
    Character Age
    40's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization CATCO New Works Festival, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization Curtain Players New Play Initiative, Year 2020

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, Year 2022

Awards

  • Ohio Arts Council Individual Award of Excellence
    Ohio Arts Council
    Winner
    2022