Does everywhere have a Watson? Someone to call just because…or someone to listen to your deductions? Does everyone need a Watson, someone of your own design who’s always there for you, even if he needs a nudge in the right direction?

Playwright Madeline George explores the world of Watsons in her Pulitzer Prize-nominated play The (Curious Case of The) Watson Intelligence, onstage to May 19 at Road Less Traveled Theater.

It’s an inventive script that time hops from 1876, 1891, 1931, and 2011 and back again with four distinctly different Watsons (all played by Brendan Didio) and three couples each named Eliza and Merrick (Emily Yancey and Dave Hayes respectively).  Confusing? Maybe. But it’s certainly worth the wild ride through time and imagination.

First up is contemporary Eliza who created the AI Watson and is programming his language as she potty-mouths about her ex. The creepy ex arranges for her to meet yet another Watson (an IT tech) who was hired to get the goods on her. Their, ahem, liaison isn’t what Merrick the ex was anticipating.

Jump back a century as Eliza pays a visit to the infamous home of Sherlock Holmes to engage him in some espionage. Victorian Eliza is also concerned about her spouse, too.

The best part of this all-over-the-time-spectrum romp is the dynamic of this trio as they morph between characters. Yancey is at her best as modern Eliza, bereft over her boyfriend even though he has Applebees and Billy Joel issues, is one neurotic laugh a minute. Yancey’s expressions and timing are impeccable. Hayes and Didion are right up there with her. The ensemble is smooth and funny and thought-provoking in some odd and interesting ways.

Dyan Burlingame’s set also has to leap the centuries and it does so winningly, thanks to skillful lighting by John Rickus and Diane Almeter Jones’ collection of interesting props.

This is an off-beat script that is endearing and delivers an entertaining evening that still manages to make you stop and think about relationships and interactions. And darn but doesn’t it make you laugh, too. A near perfect night in the theatre.

The (Curious Case of The) Watson Intelligence runs just under two hours with a 15-minute intermission until May 19. Find tickets and details at http://www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org. It’s a fun close out of an exceptional season.