The Pulaski Fine Arts Association bills its latest production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" as "a hilarious classic you won't want to miss!"
The dark comedy, written by playwright Joseph Kesselring in 1939, has lived up to that billing in countless stage productions since it first opened on Broadway in 1941. Bringing the fast-paced farce to life at the Theater on the Square has been a labor of love for the 14-member cast and their co-directors, Tracy Moran and Janet Rozmiarek.
"It really has been a lot of fun," Moran said.
After eight weeks in rehearsal, the play will open with two performances this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Set in New York in the early 1940s, the play tells the story of the Brewster family, led by spinster sisters Abby and Martha Brewster, played by April Marshall and Geri Dallhammer, who, in their own twisted version of charity, poison wayward gentlemen to relieve them of their loneliness.
"It's basically about these two little, old ladies," Moran explained. "They 'help' lonely, old gentlemen right into the grave -- which is in their cellar in the basement."
Aiding Abby and Martha is their brother, Teddy Brewster, played by Gary Akins, who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt and buries the corpses as part of his project to dig the Panama Canal underneath their home.
Oblivious to the murderous impulses of his relatives is Mortimer Brewster, played by Chad Bowlin, a stage critic who visits his ancestral home to inform his favorite aunts -- who raised him, by the way -- that he is getting married to Elaine Harper, played by Nija Thomas. But things get interesting when Mortimer discovers his family's dark secrets.
"Mortimer is a writer. He writes for his local newspaper in Brooklyn, and he sees lots of theater. He sees the shows; he reviews them, and in most cases he's not particularly impressed with their presentations. He's a bit of a harsh critic," Bowlin said when asked to describe his character.
Getting into character has been, "a lot of fun," Bowlin added.
"He exhibits a lot of nervous energy, and that's not something I come by naturally. So, I've had to reach a little bit and go outside my comfort zone to get into my character -- sometimes that's a great way to find your character," he said.
Complicating matters are Mortimer's murderous brother, Jonathan Brewster, played by Johnny York. On the run from the law, Jonathan shows up with his sidekick and plastic surgeon, Dr. Einstein, played by Russ Marshall, looking for a place to hide out.
The cast also includes Kevin Shrum as The Reverend Doctor Harper, T.J. Moffit as Officer O'Hara, Maria Whittaker as Police Lieutenant Rooney, Megan Gerber as Officer Klein, Sherry Rowland as Officer Brophy and Shannon Shrum as Mr. Witherspoon.
The cast is one of the most experienced ensembles in PFAA history, with all but one having been in at least one other local production. Most of the actors have been in multiple shows.
"The cast has really good chemistry together," Rozmiarek said. "A lot of the actors have been in previous plays together. For the most part they've all really jumped into their characters."
Future evening performances of "Arsenic and Old Lace" are scheduled March 16, 17, 23 and 24 with a 2:30 p.m. matinee March 18. All performances take place at the Theater on the Square.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and younger. Tickets are available at Lone Oak Printing in Waynesville, St. Robert Family Dental or the Pulaski Visitor Center in St. Robert.
For more information, visit www.pfaa-tots.webs.com.
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