Meadow Brook Theatre’s 51st season is kicking off with Ken Ludwig’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.”

It begins Oct. 5 and will run through Oct. 30.

“In ‘Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,’ a supernatural hound appears to be out to kill the only heir left in the Baskerville line. Sherlock Holmes is determined to keep him alive and unharmed,” according to a Meadow Brook Theatre press release. “In this comedic reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Hound of the Baskerville,’ there are bound to be plenty of laughs right along with the twists and turns . . . and even a few chills.”

The show is directed by Travis Walter, an Oakland University alumnus who has worked at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) since graduating in 2002, according to MBTheatre.com.

“I wanted to do it as soon as I read it,” Walter said in a press release. “It’s similar to ‘The 39 Steps,’ that we did a few years ago. There are a handful of actors that play dozens of characters. I know our audiences will love the magic that brings it all together. It’s a great story many of us already know, but this new twist will make it a brand new adventure, and a pretty fun — and funny — one at that.”

Rehearsals for the production began three weeks ago.

Ron Williams plays Sherlock Holmes and Phil Powers acts as his partner, Dr. John Watson. In a daring feat, the remaining 38 characters are all played by Peter Prouty, David Wobler and Cheryl Turski.

“It is so much fun to watch the actors transform from character to character,” said Walter.

Walter is assisted by Stage Manager Terry Carpenter, with set design by Jen Price Fick, costumes by Liz Goodall, lighting by Reid G. Johnson and sound by Mike Duncan.

The shows performed at MBT are selected by a reading committee.

“In this case, the committee, consisting of myself, our managing director, Cheryl Marshall, and several board members decided that this would be a great fall lead-in to our 51st season,” Walter said. “Everyone loves a good Sherlock Holmes mystery, and this show offers a lot of comedy as well.”

“Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” is an especially exciting production for the theatre.

“This production is a Michigan Premiere, meaning that no one has done this show in Michigan,” Walter said. “It is newly published and we can’t wait to give it a wonderful audience. Meadow Brook Theatre audiences will leave feeling very satisfied with the mystery and the comedy.”

Ticket prices range from $27 to $42. They can be purchased by calling the MBT box office at (248) 377-3300 or online at ticketmaster.com. There are also student discounts available at the box office. Students get 20 percent off tickets bought in advance or can buy $11 tickets on the day of the show, but are limited to one or two tickets per high school or college ID, according to the MBT website. Groups of eight or more can get a reduction as well.

The production is presented by Lelli’s of Auburn Hills, in addition to the continued support of The Shubert Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, The Kresge Foundation, the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild and the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.