Theater Review: Thoroughly Entertaining 'Arsenic And Old Lace'
SHERMAN — An “oldie but a goodie” read the invitation to view and review The Sherman Players current production of Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesselring. This rendition, which opened July 10, is definitely more goodie than oldie. It is as light as a feather and as dark as a rabbit hole, while all the while incredibly funny.
Matronly sisters Martha and Abby Brewster, played by Katherine Almquist and Patricia Michael respectively, live in the old Brewster home in the borough of Brooklyn, N.Y. Theirs is a quiet life of elegant teas and neighborly visitors. The sisters share their home with their delusional brother, Teddy (David Bailey), who for all the world looks, acts like and believes he is, Teddy Roosevelt.
In their day, Brooklyn had a small town feel, with local police officers and neighbors popping in and out. All were welcomed with a cuppa or a sip of the elderberry wine the sisters made themselves. Elderberry wine was saved for those found most lonely in the world.
Nephew Mortimer Brewster (Steve Manzino), a fast talking newspaper theater critic, arrives to visit his aunties, with the ulterior motive of picking up his lovely ingénue girlfriend, Elaine Harper (Lucy Shea), who lives next door with her clerical type father. The two have a date, which gets sidelined after Mortimer has taken the lid off a family secret.
“I never dreamed you’d peek,” claim the sisters, but now that the secret is out, the highjinks begin.
Erstwhile nephew and brother to Mortimer, Jonathan (Dean Alexander) returns after many years. He is accompanied by his sidekick, Dr Einstein (Jeff Rossman). These have been up to no good and have no intention of coming clean, but they definitely foul up the plans Mortimer has for his aunts and Teddy.
Adding to the mayhem is Officer O’Hara, played by Martin Rosado, a playwriting policeman with a wicked knack for pantomime.
Around and around this troupe goes. While this is a seriously dark comedy (forgive the oxymoron), the Keystone Kops style action leads to a wild ride.
Katherine Almquist and Patricia Michael, as the two Brewster sisters, are both brilliant. They master just the right naiveté while craftily hiding their sinister charity. They kill it (forgive the pun).
David Bailey as Teddy, the Roosevelt wannabe, is just terrific. He nails his portrayal of the Rough Rider in every regard.
Steve Manzino gives his character a spunk which drives his efforts to make it right. He is charismatic and yet a little slippery. Mr Manzino is incredibly energetic; he is excellent. His paramour, played by Lucy Shea, enchants. She is a feisty young woman, determined to land her man. Ms Shea performs beautifully.
Dean Alexander is sinister in his role, while Jeff Rossman is adorable, in a depraved sort of way, as his partner in crime.
Martin Rosado is oblivious as a cop with a big heart and a story to tell. And that pantomime was just great and done to perfection.
Rounding out the cast, David Almquist, Christopher Marker, William Kenyon and Gabe Fowler all play various townspeople and police officers with skill.
Directed with a steady hand by Robin Frome, this talented cast maximizes the humor without overplaying, a challenging objective in farce.
“If you really knew my family,” Mortimer claims, you would still love them.
The Brewsters have the best of intentions and truly mean no harm. Go, have a cup of tea, and be thoroughly entertained in Sherman.
Performances continue weekends, Friday through Sunday, July 17-19; Friday and Saturday, July 24-25; and Thursday, Friday and Sunday, July 30-31 and August 2. Thursday, Friday or Saturday shows begin at 8 pm, while the two Sunday shows are 2 pm matinees.
Tickets are $22 for adults, $11 for ages 12 and under, and can be reserved by calling 860-354-3622 or through shermanplayers.org.
The Sherman Players theater is at 5 Route 39 North in Sherman. Visit the website for additional details, including directions.