Arsenic and Old Lace:
Lotsa’ Laughs, Love, Law Breaking, and Liquidation!
By Bob Schaumburg
The black comedy, “Arsenic and Old Lace,”
opened to a full house at the Lyric Arts Theater in downtown Anoka on Friday, June 3rd and will run through the 18th. It’s very likely each performance will, or at least should, have a similar reception. The cast and crew have put together an incredible re-creation of Joseph Kesselring’s play, one you surely should see.
Entering the beautiful and quaint theater at 420 E. Main Street, you’ll first be amazed at the quality of the set, masterfully designed by Todd Edwards. No detail was overlooked in the authentic Victorian-era home with fringe lampshades, steam heater, coat tree, furniture, and light fixtures. But the authenticity doesn’t stop there. Each performer was extraordinarily cast, a quality I have experienced consistently at the Lyric Arts in past productions.
The story is of two endearingly sweet, elderly sisters who end the lives of old, lonely men with no families or homes as “one of our charities” by using their homemade concoction of elderberry wine mixed with arsenic. Swirling around the unusual “habit” of Abby and Martha Brewster is the non-stop comings and goings of their newly-engaged nephew, Mortimer who learns of their macabre hobby, the unpredictable Teddy Brewster, Mortimer’s brother, who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, and the unforeseen arrival of Mortimer’s long-lost brother, Jonathan, who has been running from the law after a globe-hopping tour of murders he’s committed with his phony doctor accomplice, Dr. Einstein. Other visitors, including a potential boarder/victim and local beat police officers, add to the mayhem.
Mary Kay Fortier-Spalding, who plays Aunt Abby, and her partner-in-charity, Mary Cutler, who plays her sister Martha, are absolutely wonderful and seem to have been made for these roles. Roger Wayne, who plays drama critic Mortimer, gives the show boundless energy and comedic timing along with his future wife, Elaine, superbly played by Kjersten Johnson. Kristofer Sween, who plays “Teddy Roosevelt” Brewster, makes you feel guilty for laughing at the insane. Corey Okonek, the evil “prodigal” Jonathan Brewster, gives a consistently creepy performance well-supported by his plastic surgeon accomplice, Dr. Einstein, whose need for alcohol nearly costs him his life with the sisters’ wine.
The supporting cast all hold the show together with great pacing and delivery, helping set the context for the laughs to come. Dann Peterson is to be commended for his direction of this highly-talented cast and has provided our community with a great show to see and enjoy.
Come support your local community theater for this, and future productions, at the Lyric Arts Theater…you won’t be disappointed!
–Bob Schaumburg
A Little Bit About Bob:
Bob moved here from Kansas City in 2007 and lives in Ramsey. Inspired by his “Best Actor” older brother during high school, Bob also performed in high school plays which had a measurable effect on his career as a leadership trainer and executive coach. “Nothing beats a live stage performance, whether it’s in New York on Broadway, or at the Lyric Arts Theater in Anoka,” says Bob. “I always get choked up during the curtain call of every play I attend. My step-daughter, who will be a senior at Anoka High School next year, has been in all the plays and I love seeing her have the same fun I did when I was her age.” Bob heard of the opportunity to volunteer to write a review of plays at Lyric Arts, and jumped at the opportunity. Bob adds, “Every play I have ever seen at Lyric Arts has always amazed me with the quality of the performers and overall production.”