From internationally acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig, “The Game’s Afoot” follows a Broadway star known for playing Sherlock Holmes. When a murder occurs during a holiday party at his mansion, he takes on the role of detective in real life. With twists, turns, and plenty of laughs, it’s a perfect mystery-comedy that won the Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Mystery of 2012.Rockville Little Theatre (RLT) was founded in 1948 and is the oldest continuously operating live 501(c)3 nonprofit theatre in the Rockville area. RLT provides high-quality performances at reasonable prices. RLT strives to entertain, enlighten and educate all who attend our theatrical events. RLT offers an opportunity for community members to step out of their everyday lives and to assume new roles as playwrights, actors, directors, costume designers, set designers, and audiences.Chas Roades, who plays William Gillette in RLT’s upcoming production of “The Game’s Afoot,” is returning to community theater in 2026 after 40 years away. Most recently seen in McLean Community Players’ “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Chas grew up in and around theater both abroad and in the DC area. He has played leading and featured roles in “Oliver!,” “The Music Man,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma!,” “ A Thousand Clowns,” and many other shows. Now retired from a healthcare consulting career and living in Northern Virginia, he’s thrilled to have rediscovered his passion for acting and looks forward to many “old man” roles to come!You’re returning to the stage after 40 years away, which is very exciting! How does it feel to be back after all that time?It’s like coming home! I grew up doing community theater and school productions, and acting truly felt like a calling for me. But practical considerations won out, and I spent most of my professional career, first in the military and then in business, in jobs that had me on the road the majority of the time. Having recently retired, I made a New Year’s resolution to try out for shows, and I’ve been so fortunate to have made my way back on stage. I feel like a kid again—that same passion and thrill is still very much alive!
When you were cast as William Gillette after a 40-year absence from the stage, what went through your mind?My first thought when I read the script was, “Wow, what a fun part!” Immediately followed by, “Wow, how in the world will I memorize all these lines?” It’s definitely taken more effort than it would have 40 years ago! But working with Rockville Little Theatre has been so great—both the cast and crew of this show and the broader RLT community. It truly does take a village to put on a production like this. From the moment I walked into the first audition, I could tell that this was an extraordinary group of people—supportive, encouraging, and such incredible, creative talent.
Tell me about your character, William Gillette. What are the greatest challenges and rewards of bringing him to life?William Gillette is an actual historical figure. He was a fascinating theater impresario who popularized Sherlock Holmes in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A lot of what we associate with Arthur Conan Doyle’s character was actually created by Gillette, who wrote and starred in a Sherlock Holmes play that Doyle gave his blessing to. He kept it going for more than thirty years!
Gillette was an eccentric guy, who had some innovative ideas about theater and built himself an actual castle in Connecticut, which is where “The Game’s Afoot” takes place. The fun part for me is getting to play a larger-than-life theater star who fancies himself a real-life Sherlock Holmes, with all the sharp and farcical style that Ludwig’s plays are known for.
A mystery-comedy can be quite an adventure for both the actors and the audience! What do you most enjoy about this format?Lots of red herrings! As actors, we know whodunnit, of course, but we have to dole the clues out in little bits across the course of the play as our characters try to solve the mystery, and as we try to keep the audience guessing about what really happened. It’s also been fun to watch the production team come up with the castle design—lots of fun details and creative uses of sound and lighting to amplify the mystery. Our director, Laura Andruski, is especially experienced in mystery theater, and she’s got a really creative vision for this unique show.
Why should local audiences come see “The Game’s Afoot,” and what do you hope they take away from the experience?It’s the perfect kickoff to both spooky season and the coming winter holidays. The play’s subtitle is “Holmes for the Holidays,” after all! Lots of laughs, a tangled-up mystery plot to figure out, a zany farce, and most importantly a chance to see some of the local community’s most outstanding talent on stage. That’s the amazing thing about community theater and what I love about it. It’s truly by, for, and of the community. These are your friends and neighbors coming together to create an evening of entertainment. Come enjoy the show!“The Game’s Afoot” runs September 25-October 4, 2026 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre located on the grounds of the Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go online, call (240) 314-8690, or visit the box office prior to the performance. Box Office hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 2-6 pm.
Julia Tucker is a singer, arts enthusiast, and communications professional based in Edgewater, Maryland. Her lifelong affinity for music and theater has taken her on many adventures, both as a performer and audience member. Julia’s musical theater credits include the Original Broadway Cast Recording for Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Background Vocalist), as well as the music video for SIX on Broadway, the West End, and Australia (Global Digital Chorus). Julia was also a backup singer for Josh Groban’s “Bridges” Tour (Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza) and Sarah Brightman’s “A Christmas Symphony” Tour (Music Center at Strathmore). An experienced National Anthem soloist, Julia has sung “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Chesapeake Baysox, and Annapolis Blues FC. She also performed “O Canada” for the D.C. United’s 2023 home opener. Julia frequently attends local and national theater productions, and she loves to support the arts in the community.
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