(Wed- Sun) ongoing - through Sun. Aug. 22

Sherlock Holmes is one of the world’s best-known sleuths and "The Hound of the Baskervilles" one of his best-known and most-beloved cases. From Basil Rathbone to Michael Cain to Robert Downey, Jr., some of the best and most beloved actors of their respective eras have taken a moment to doff the famous deerhunter hat, take up the curved pipe and go about the business of solving unsolvable crimes.Rarely if ever has it been so much fun, however, as in the Central Square Theater’s production that runs through Sunday Aug. 22.

Though Holmes’ cases (and Holmes himself) are among the most complicated ever created, CST takes things to a whole new level by having the entire story performed by only three actors! Featuring the noticeably svelte Remo Airaldi in the title role (among many others), the play also features Bill Mootos as Dr. Watson (the most consistent character and d therefore the self-labeled “star” of the story) and student actor Trent Mills, who towers above the miniature proscenium as various members of the Baskerville family. With just three people portraying a cast of about 17, the comic confusion rises to such a pitch that, at the request of the audience, the trio - who are themselves posing as a traveling troupe called the Stellar Traveling Dramatists (acronym it!) who are often fully aware that they are acting – are “forced” to reenact the entire first act in miniature (a la the digested “Hamlet” in “The Complete WOWSA”) to start the second.

Once everything is set straight (for the most part), the story proceeds apace at a building pace until most everybody ends up de- ... but we cannot give it away! Let it just be said that the audience is just as likely to fall on the floor as the actors. From start to finish, this is a truly hysterical play that uses physical comedy, word play, bad dog jokes and an savvy sense of the fourth wall to keep the audience involved and in stitches. From dramatic lighting and piped-in sound to some lavishly low-budget dance numbers and a moveable stage that twists and turns as it transforms from interiors to exteriors and back, the production directed by award-winning A.R.T. alum Thomas Derrah draws the audience in by their wit and their funny bone and refuses to let go even during the intermission (during which they are welcome to hang out in the cleverly-arranged British lounge that is set up in the lobby for their leisure).

It's a clever and cerebral night of comic theater. Just watch out for the disgruntled tech team.

Tix: $40. It's up Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30, Friday and Saturday at 8, with a Sunday matinee at 2.

(contributed by Matt Robinson)

 450 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, 617-576-9278 www.centralsquaretheater.org.