Amanda Baird, left, and Ethan Taylor play Aggie and Simon, a married couple who appear happy together when they attend a Christmas dinner with a theater troupe leader, until things take a dark turn.

John Hoff is serious about comedy. The director of the latest show at the Coaster Theatre in Cannon Beach has given firm advice to his cast when approaching their characters: “Let’s make sure they are real.”

The play, “The Game’s Afoot” or “Holmes for the Holidays,” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday and runs through Oct. 19.

It takes place in 1936 and features William Gillette, a Connecticut actor who idolizes Sherlock Holmes. When he invites members of his theater troupe to a Christmas dinner, a murder occurs. So Gillette assumes the persona of Holmes to try to solve it.

“I like comedies and love the challenge,” said Huff, who has appeared in four Coaster shows and directed “Suite Surrender” last season. “What makes comedy funny is real characters in absurd situations. The challenge as a director is it make sure the actors portray real people.”

Hoff noted that his cast has done exactly that.

Gillette was a real person, writing 13 plays including “Sherlock Holmes” in 1899, which drew on the work of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and which he reportedly performed 1,300 times in the U.S. and England.

He is credited by Sherlockians as popularizing Holmes’ curvy pipe, magnifying glass and deerstalker hat, as well as regular use of the word “elementary.” Gillette’s “castle,” within a state park in Connecticut, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The Game’s Afoot” was written by Ken Ludwig, author of “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Crazy for You.”

The Coaster production features David Sweeney as Gillette, Priscilla McRoberts as his mother and Margo McClellan as a theater critic. Two couples from Gillette’s theater troupe are played by Amanda Baird, Ethan Taylor, Emily Dante and Leland Fallon. Sue Neuer appears as an inspector.

Baird, who works at The Stand taco shop in Seaside, said she last acted in third grade. “This has been a great learning experience for me,” she said. “I feel like I am part of a team, which is why I auditioned.”

Her character, an actress, is married but has eyes for another man. “Aggie is a bit of a ‘try-hard,’” she said. “She has been doing ballet her entire life, so she thinks that she must be important and beautiful and everything you can want.”

Hoff, who said he likes “highbrow comedies,” was last seen in “Death By Design” at the Coaster this spring, and in the title role of “Macbeth” at the Ten Fifteen Theater in Astoria last year. He has acted and directed for more than 35 years, having trained and worked in New York City.

He has had to learn one of the male character’s lines to cover for a scheduling conflict for four performances. In considering other challenges for the production, he noted the play is heavy on props, but to describe them in detail might give away some surprises. Costumes have been coordinated by Sondra Gomez and the stage manager is Coaster stalwart Colleen Toomey.

“I hope the audience will have a great time laughing and trying to figure out who the murderer is,” Hoff said.

‘The Game’s Afoot’

‘The Game’s Afoot’

A comedy by Ken Ludwig, directed by John Hoff, opening 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach.

Continues with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee. Additional shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, Oct. 17 through 19, Oct. 25 and 26.

Tickets are $25 to $30, available at

www.coastertheatre.com