Our little corner of Louisiana doesn’t always get much theater, so when a community troupe puts on a show, it feels like an event. The Impromptu Players in DeRidder, now in their 43rd season, staged the interactive mystery Sherlock Holmes and the Bully of Baker Street. Last night, it was a full evening — dinner, fellowship, and then a play that asked the audience to lean in and help steer the course.
The dinner itself was worth the ticket: a Caesar salad, slow-roasted pork with mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh seasoned green beans, iced tea, and a rich chocolate peanut butter trifle with coffee to finish. One of the volunteers even tended the roast, slow and steady; it gave the whole evening the sense of being built by friends, for friends.
My wife and I have only the lightest of theater roots — I took one semester of theater at McNeese State, and she endured the mandatory play-attendance of a college freshman. But going together to see this production reminded me that even small-town stages can spark something lasting.
This play carried a unique twist — a “choose your own adventure” style, which added an interactive layer. Whether the actors had to prepare two paths of dialogue, ready to pivot with the audience’s decision, or it was pre-planned didn’t matter: the cast handled it with grace.
And what a cast.
The standout performances led the way:
- Morgan Nichols as Vicky carried the heart of the story with a mix of spunk and sincerity that made her an easy favorite with the crowd.
- Meghan Daigle embodied Alma, the painter, with the confidence of an artist sure of her vision — her performance carried the full weight of creative conviction.
- Stacey Boyett as Mrs. Hudson captured the no-nonsense practicality of a Victorian landlady, portraying both her firmness and her care with authenticity.
Then the rest of the cast:
- Robert Lewis gave us a Sherlock Holmes who was both sharp and commanding, his physical presence filling the stage with every deduction.
- Eden Wunschel’s Barney showed just the right layers of toughness and vulnerability, two things that would later come into play.
- Daniel Sheedy, as Prince George, brought an air of royalty to the role, with princely comportment that played well against Holmes’ seriousness.
- Joshua Swink, as Sir Arthur, brought a surprising blend of menace and humor. His compact, sturdy presence made his foiled escape all the more memorable, adding levity without undermining the tension — casting him in that role was a stroke of good judgment.
- Layla Swink’s Annie brought warmth and youthful energy to the stage, making her character a thread of hope amid the mystery.
- Katrina Houser, as Inspector Lestrade, played the lawman with poise and clarity, giving the part authority without overshadowing Holmes.
- The ensemble — Aubree Gardiner, Peyton Greene, Nitosha Johnson, Hanna Lewis, and Jocelyne Sepeda — gave life to the world around the story. Their energy filled the stage with movement and color, keeping every transition alive.
Behind the scenes, Shirley Houin directed with a sure hand, while Regena Calmes kept the lights and sound right where they needed to be. Together with the cast, they pulled off something worth remembering.
As the evening wound down, I was struck by a sense of continuity — the work of those who came before us in this community theater. Another bright point of the night was seeing the memoriam to Anna Wiggins, who went to be with the Lord in January of 2023.
My memories of Ms. Anna go back to the late ’70s, when my family had just moved back to DeRidder and she referred to herself with a grin as “that red-headed lady.” For years she ran the Pier One store, later buying it and renaming it Curious Cargo, stamping it with her own distinctive style. Many times in the late ’80s she helped me, a new husband, find just the right gift for my wife—always with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.
Around that same time, she became involved with the Impromptu Players. While managing her own thriving store, she also provided steady leadership to the troupe, serving as president for three decades and stepping aside only when her health made it necessary. She directed plays, prepared every meal for the dinner theaters, and poured herself into the life of the group. Seeing her photograph in the theater made it feel as though she was still with us in spirit.
In 2014, Anna told Lagniappe Magazine’s Best of SWLA series something that still resonates today: “We’re one of only three or four theatre groups left in the U.S. who serve dinner at the theater,” she said proudly. “Almost all groups now send you to a restaurant for dinner and then back to the theatre for the play.” A package deal, as we found, certainly adds value to the experience.
She was also quoted as saying, “As long as I’m able to keep on truckin’, I’m gonna keep on truckin’.” I’m glad to see that the Impromptu Players are still “truckin’,” and I think Anna would be proud of that.
By the end of the night, I was reminded why local theater matters. It’s not just about entertainment — it’s about neighbors coming together to tell a story, to laugh, to reflect, and to share a table. My wife and I walked away grateful we’d made time for it.
That’s it for now. Thanks for showing up. It matters.
For more on Impromptu Players, visit:
Coming in November: “Unlucky Seven,” written by IP’s own Mario Carrillo and illustrated by Madeline Thiels.
Veni, Vidi, Scripsi 
Thank you for your kind words and appreciation. We are glad you had a pleasant evening and hope to see you in the future.
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You’re very welcome!
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