Prime Stage Theater’s production, Arsenic and Old Lace, is a delightful performance featuring an all-star cast, stunning set design, and charming costumes with a flair of vintage American theater.
By Megan Grabowski
Directed by Mt. Lebanon native Liam Macik, Arsenic and Old Lace isn’t a simple farce. As with many intelligent comedies, the plot has a dark side. Elderly Aunt Abby (Lynn Franks) and Aunt Martha (Suzanne Ward) Brewster are the doting caretakers to 2 nephews, Teddy and Mortimer. They are known to everyone in Brooklyn as sweet, church-going, and generous old ladies inhabiting one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood. If they tried, no one could have a bad word to say about Abby and Martha. Mortimer (Adam Seligson), a theater critic, adores his aunts. So does his spunky and spirited girlfriend, the minister’s daughter, Elaine (Halle Surgil). Mortimer’s brother Teddy (John Feightner) keeps his aged aunts on their toes. Although Teddy is a grown man, he innocently suffers from delusions believing he is Teddy Roosevelt. The family finds Teddy’s presidential antics endearing. The only complaint comes from neighbors who consider the late-night bugle blowing an annoyance. And often request the police visit the Brewster home to stop the middle of the night musical alarm. The cast is giddy with excitement after Mortimer proudly announces his engagement to Elaine, but soon afterward, Mortimer learns gentle and lovable aunts Abby and Martha are not what or who they appear to be. Adding another layer of entanglement, Mortimer discovers Teddy is an accomplice in all his aunt’s wicked deeds. Quickly coming unhinged, Mortimer begins to devise a plan to protect his family from their own wrongdoings. Complicating matters, Mortimer’s long-lost brother, Jonathan (Alex Blair), appears unannounced after a 20-year absence. Tagging along is his sidekick Dr. Herman Einstein (Matt Henderson), equally as evil as Jonathan. From the get-go, Jonathan is not a welcomed guest in the Brewster home due to past infractions against the family. Abby and Martha try their best to convince him to leave, but he easily bullies his way into staying. Jonathan brings more to the Brewster house than just Dr. Einstein, which hinders Mortimer’s ideas for safeguarding his family with every bizarre twist and comical turn in the plot.
The casting for this performance is uncanny. The chemistry between Franks and Ward is endearing, and together they make an adorably scandalous pair. Seligson’s frenzied movements, perfectly timed comedic facial expressions, and Surgil’s sweet doe eye features and virtuousness are a match made in drama dreamland. The supporting characters are the Reverend, Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Witherspoon (Art DeConciliis), Officer Brophy (Andy Coleman), Officer O’Hara (Erik Martin), Officer Klein (Luca Seara Pacheco), and Lieutenant Rooney (Michael McBurney) They infuse just the right amount of slapstick to produce genuine laughter from the audience. Henderson’s German accent is a howl, and Blair looks the part of a perfectly vile villain, although I wish his portrayal had been a little darker at times.
Emerging from the Covid- 19 global pandemic, audience members will welcome the relaxing of some precautionary health measures by the theater. Plan to arrive wearing a mask, and be sure to bring along proof of vaccination. Attendees will enjoy the operational bar and feel more comfortable socializing than was available at the beginning of this season.
The show is slated to run 2 hours and 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission, but the time ran over a bit on preview night.
Arsenic and Old Lace is a masterpiece of American theater. At 81 years young, this madcap has not lost a beat, and Prime Stage Theater has honorably upheld its’ authenticity. Performances run May 7- 15, 2022. For more information and tickets visit: https://primestage.com/events/arsenic-and-old-lace/
Categories: Reviews
Leave a Reply