It’s a holiday season whodunit that features two of the most recognized characters in fiction.

Private eyes are sure to be on the lookout when the Northern Lehigh Little Theatre presents its fall play “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose.”

Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday in the Northern Lehigh High School auditorium. Price of admission is $7 for all ages.

Tickets can be purchased either at the door or ahead of time on the district’s website, www.nlsd.org.

The play features fictitious characters Det. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, according to Kayla Driscoll, director for the Northern Lehigh Little Theatre.

“What begins as a rather mundane inquiry into locating the owner of a missing hat becomes the investigation to find a high stakes jewel thief,” Driscoll said. “From Baker Street to the winding streets of London, this show has a cast of fun characters and a good dose of mystery.”

Driscoll said the show grabbed her attention early on in the selection process.

“It isn’t a particularly long show (clocking in a little over an hour), but it is filled with big characters and wholesome fun for the whole family,” she said. “One of my missions in this position is to reestablish that link between the theatre and the community it serves.”

Driscoll added, “The fall play used to be a tradition in the community, but unfortunately hasn’t been able to be done over the last few years so I think such a fun, light-hearted show is the perfect way to reintroduce ourselves while also shining a light on the passion and effort we see from these students.”

She said the cast consists of 22 students who range from middle school to high school students. Sherlock Holmes is played by sophomore Matthew Miller Jr., and will mark his first time performing on stage. Dr. John Watson is played by senior Diego Fenstermaker, who has performed with the Northern Lehigh Little Theatre over the past few years.

“We began rehearsals at the beginning of October, and have rehearsed several days a week since,” Driscoll said. “The students were excited to take part in a show with familiar characters, and even more so to be a part of one that highlighted individual students and their passions. For instance, we have carolers who sing throughout the show, we have dancers who have choreographed their own short pieces, and we have musicians taking part in the festivities as well.”

Driscoll said her goal for the play is that it’s a stepping stone for her goals of the theater program, which is to celebrate the joy and individuality of the students, to introduce them to a medium of artistic expression they might never have done before, and to be active members of their community no matter where they end up in life.

Driscoll said the students have really taken to the play.

“What I have observed in students (and frankly many adults in this industry) is that in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have an almost overflowing desire to do - to create, to interact, to be heard and feel seen,” she said. “I want them to have a place where they can express their many feelings and thoughts safely and with the support of their peers.”

Driscoll said patrons can also donate non-perishable goods and funds which will be given to the Northern Lehigh Food Bank.