Arsenic and Old Lace, the classic black comedy about two sweet old sisters poisoning old men lodgers has been told on stage and screen for decades. This includes the original play written by Joseph Kessering in 1941 and a film in 1944 directed by Frank Capra featuring Cary Grant and Raymond Massey. In 1962, there was a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie starring Tony Randall and another TV film in 1969 with Helen Hayes and Lillian Gish as the sinister sisters.
Abby Brewster (Danny Scheie), Mortimer Brewster (Cody Sloan)
and Martha Brewster (Michael Patrick Gaffney)
There’s a reason for its popularity. Now Center Rep’s New Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow in her debut production presents her version. She assembled a talented crew of actors to put a fun and silly spin on the classic story with women playing some of the male roles and vice versa.
Abby Brewster (Danny Scheie) and Martha Brewster (Michael Patrick Gaffney)
The sisters Martha and Abby Brewster are played with over-the-top camp by Michael Patrick Gaffney and Danny Scheie. Their outfits, gestures, and straight-face delivery is an absolute hoot.
It takes a while for their straitlaced nephew Mortimer (Cody Sloan) to catch on and find out what is going on in his aunts’ big Brookline boarding house. To protect his aunt’s secret, he goes to great lengths to try to hide a body (literally) and not arouse suspicion from not only the police but his girlfriend/fiancée Elaine Harper (Carla Gallardo). Also living at the house is another nephew Teddy Brewster (Catherine Luedtke) who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt. As if things weren’t complicated enough, the arrival of another nephew and Mortimer’s estranged brother Jonathan Brewster (played with fiendish delight by DeAnna Driscoll) suddenly shows up at the house late at night. He has his own secrets and is seemingly on the lam from the law. His friend and accomplice Dr. Einstein (a hilarious Skyler Sullivan) further add to the mess on hand.
With all the secrets, hidden bodies and agendas, hijinks ensue — and this is all in the first act!
Jonathan Brewster (DeAnna Driscoll), Martha Brewster (Michael Patrick Gaffney)
and Dr. Einstein (Skyler Sullivan)
As the plot continues to unravel, alliances are formed, ultimatums issued and of course, how will it all end? This timeless story will appeal to audiences of all ages. It will keep everyone guessing until the end and makes for a fun night of theater. Yi-Chien Lee’s set design of the Brownstone’s living room in the Brookline mansion is very detail oriented and filled with big furniture, windows, curtains and lamps lending itself as the perfect backdrop for all the zany action. Brooke
Kesler’s costumes and Emily Haynes‘ wigs help create these convincing characters particularly since the audience may not catch on to the fact that there’s gender-switching going on. (My 91-year-old companion had no idea!)
Abby (Danny Scheie), Mortimer (Cody Sloan) and Elaine Harper (Carla Gallardo)
Seen through fresh eyes, this production proves why the play is a masterpiece of black comedy. It has something for everyone and is definitely worth the trip to Walnut Creek.
Abby (Danny Scheie), Jonathan (DeAnna Driscoll) and Martha (Michael Patrick Gaffney)
photos by Kevin Berne
Jonathan (DeAnna Driscoll) and Dr. Einstein (Skyler Sullivan)
Arsenic and Old Lace
Center Repertory Company
Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, in Walnut Creek
Tues-Fri at 7:30; Sat at 2:30 & 7:30; Sun at 2:30 & 7
ends on September 29, 2024
for tickets ($45-$70), call 925.943.7469 Wed-Sun, 12-6pm, or visit Lesher Arts
Abby Brewster (Danny Scheie) and Martha Brewster (Michael Patrick Gaffney)