by Savannah Shaver, Catawba College musical theatre major
7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-16
Come and join in the experience of picking your brain during Catawba College’s production of “The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence” playing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 16 in the Florence Busby Corriher Theatre on campus. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Audience-goers should be prepared to be taken on a cognitive journey through the eyes of four different Watsons — the trusty comrade of Sherlock Holmes, Watson; the truehearted engineer of Bell’s first telephone, Watson; the indomitable supercomputer that became reigning “Jeopardy” champion, Watson; and, of course, the amicable techno-minded nerd who is in search of love, Watson.
The cast includes freshman Robby Matlock of Greenville, S.C., as Watson; junior Krissey Browder of Wilkesboro as Eliza; and sophomore Isaac Haney of Millboro, Va., as Merrick.
Professor Beth Homan directs; Professor David Pulliam led set design and Professor Erin B. Dougherty, costume design.
According to Matlock, Watson tends to genuinely care for others and always puts others before himself. “I hope the audience takes away that even though it may be difficult to help others, in the end, they are going to remember that you took your time to help them along their journey in life.”
Some of Matlock’s favorite quotes from his character include, “We all suffer from

moments of insufficiency where we must look to others to supplement our strength,” and “It is always a stroke of luck to connect with another, even briefly. Even if the outcome is difficult.”
Cast-mate Haney shared, “As a cast, we have joked a lot about how many words there are in this script, which is true when you only have three actors to carry a two-act show. It has been so much fun to delve into the language of this show and explore how deliberate playwright Madeleine George was in crafting these lines, and the parallels between the various characters.”
Haney hopes that audience walks away with a sense of connection to others that all human beings need, due to the struggle of aloneness.
This modern cautionary tale will examine the wildly fast technological advances in relation to human drawbacks, and perhaps, the mystery of the human heart. It will certainly offer a look at the evolutionary journey through Watsons’ time.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 senior adults and non-Catawba students; free for Catawba students, faculty and staff, available at www.catawba.edu/theatretix, or 704-637-4481.

Note: Adult content and themes are present in this production. Please proceed watching the play with awareness. A handgun is also present in this production, but it is not fired.