Elkader Opera House Players to present classic ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’
The Opera House Players are working up to a dark, yet delightful, spring comedy. The classic Arsenic and Old Lace will be presented the first two weekends in April. (Photo courtesy of Elkader Opera House Players)
The Opera House Players are working up to a dark, yet delightful, spring comedy. The classic Arsenic and Old Lace will be presented the first two weekends in April. The play was written in 1941 by Joseph Kesselring and made famous in the 1944 movie version starring Cary Grant. This is the first time this play has been presented on the Elkader Opera House stage.
The plot revolves around two spinster sisters, Abby and Martha Brewster, played by Mary Beth Specht and Lori Frailey. The ladies have a charity; they advertise rooms for rent in their Victorian home, and when they find an elderly gentleman who is without home or family, they show “mercy” on him.
Their nephew, Teddy Brewster, played by Cary Kann, thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt while another nephew, Mortimer (Andrew Lange), unwittingly finds himself him the center of the mayhem which ensues.
Jonathan Brewster, (Cameron Berges), brother to Mortimer and Teddy, shows up fresh from the Indiana State Penitentiary for the Insane, from which he escaped along with his sidekick Dr. Einstein (Mark Yackel-Juleen).
In the middle of the chaos is Mortimer’s new and very confused fiance’ Elaine (Perry Leffler). Rounding out the cast of characters is Officer O’Hara (Lee Pool); fellow officers Brophy (Jon Banse) and Klein (Jonathan Buhl), who are less than stellar in their duties; Lieutenant Rooney (Dan Beck), who is exasperated with his police force; Mr. Witherspoon (Jack Niewoehner), who runs the Happy Dale Sanitarium; Reverend Dr. Harper (Jay Moser), Elaine’s father; and last but not least, lonely Mr. Gibbs (Allan Dickson).
The strong cast of characters along with a gorgeous Victorian set promises to provide two hours of edge-of-your-seat drama and classic humor.
Arsenic and Old Lace is directed by David Beck with co-director and producer Kay Moser. Shows are planned for 7 p.m. on April 5, 6, 12 and 13 and 2 p.m. on April 7 and 14.
Tickets can be purchased through the website operahouseplayers.com, by calling (563) 873-2378 or at the Elkader Floral Shop.
