It’s the American classic that kills with kindness. “Arsenic and Old Lace” blends sinister plot elements with comedy as it comes to the Panther Playhouse at Bartlett High School this week.
Something is fishy in the Brewster household: old men are missing, and there are reports of bodies in the basement. Abby and Martha Brewster are two lonely spinster sisters devoted to charity and good deeds — but their latest charitable project seems to have fatal consequences. Matters are complicated when their estranged nephew (who bears an eerie resemblance to Boris Karloff) shows up unannounced with some sinister plans of his own.
The production runs Oct. 23 and 25 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 on the Panther Playhouse Mainstage at Bartlett High, 5688 Woodlawn Street.
The cast includes:
- Bridgett Church (Martha)
- Heather Leslie (Abby)
- Matthew Meyers (Mortimer)
- Jordan Spuryer (Elaine)
- Aubrey Hayes (Teddy)
- Brian Kohr (Officer O’Hara)
- Matthew Spivey (Jonathan)
- James Preble (Dr. Einstein)
- Brennan Sandefer (Reverend Harper)
- Trent Wicker (Officer Brophy)
- Cassie Kutz (Officer Klein)
- Solomon Stafford (Lieutenant Rooney)
- Jalon Rainey (Mr. Gibbs)
- Christian Potts (Mr. Witherspoon)
Direction is by Kevin Rogers. Assistant Direction is by Chris Steele and Christian Potts.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Kevin Rogers at krogers@bartlettschools.org.
The Oct. 25 performance will be preceded by a special dinner of spaghetti, baked ziti and fettuccini alfredo at 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $10 for the meal and show combination.
For details, email bartletthstheatre@gmail.com.
Editor’s note: Check online for trivia, on-screen errors and quotes from the 1944 movie version, as well as a copy of the original play’s script.
