Stereotypically, there are two kinds of little old ladies. There is the kind who wear a constant scowl, wield a pocketbook as a weapon and yell at neighborhood kids to keep off their lawn. On the other hand, there is the kind who have a sweet smile for those around them, care for those in need and graciously offer their hospitality to all. Abby and Martha Brewster are perfect examples of the latter. Well, almost. The two spinster sisters are the very picture of charm and charity. They even take in boarders, giving forlorn, older gentlemen a room in their lovely Brooklyn home. The only problem is, they feel it is their duty to cure these men of their terminal loneliness by poisoning them and burying their bodies in the basement, much to their nephew Mortimer’s dismay. So while the Brewster sisters may not be the embodiment of charity after all, they are the perfect subject for comedy as Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre brings Joseph Kesselring’s “Arsenic and Old Lace” to life under the direction of Christine E. Rock.
Kesselring’s play has long been a theatre favorite. The dark comedy opened on Broadway in January of 1941, running for more than 1,400 performances before closing in June of 1944. That same year, the story of the Brewster sisters hit the big screen, starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra. “Arsenic and Old Lace” was revived on Broadway in June of 1986, and it’s a perennial choice for school and community theatre troupes.
So why is Kesselring’s comedy still hitting the stage nearly seven decades after its premiere? For one, it’s a treasure trove of terrific characters — Abby and Martha, quiet as a pair of titmice, but deadly with homemade elderberry wine, their nephew Mortimer, the uptight theatre critic, his brother Teddy, who believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and their scofflaw brother Jonathan, who bears a striking resemblance to Boris Karloff, just to name a wacky few. For another, it’s still a lot of laughs.
“Despite the fact that it was written 70 years ago, it’s still smart and very, very funny,” says Rock. “While there are references to things that happened in the ’30s and ’40s, they are iconic enough to still be recognizable to folks in their 20s and 30s. And I really believe that good comedy is timeless.”
The director is no stranger to this timeless comedy, having directed “Arsenic and Old Lace” when it last hit the LTWB stage in 1995. Having enjoyed her prior experience, when LTWB put out the call for directors, Rock thought she’d return to the Brewster house.
“We had such a good time doing it that I thought it would be great to revisit these characters again,” she says.
Though the director’s chair has a familiar feel, the current production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” is not simply a rerun.
“Every time you do a show is a different experience,” Rock explains. “Even if you are doing the same show for the second or third time, it’s never the same as the first one. That is the magic of theatre.”
Like any show, “Arsenic and Old Lace” has its challenges, its rewards and its surprises. Among the challenges is scheduling rehearsal for 14 people. But for Rock, the chance to work with favorite actors and talented new faces outweighs any logistical difficulties. And she’s pleasantly surprised by how quickly elements of this particular comedy have come back to her, even though it’s been 14 years since she last visited the Brewsters’ parlor.
“It’s like an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. After you have been back together for a while, it’s like no time has passed at all,” Rock says.
Though Rock claims to be fresh out of ideas since it’s the beginning of tech week (aka hell week), it’s obvious she’s spent some time pondering her role in getting this old friend ready for opening night.
“While there have been times in the past where I would have loved to play a role in a show I was directing, I am perfectly content directing this one,” she says. “There are so many characters in this show, it’s much more fun to play in the psyche of all of them — not just one.”
So she’s leaving the onstage antics to her talented cast, which includes Barbara Janick, Barbara Wilson, Mark Petrucelli, Alicia Alaimo, Lee Thomas, John Sherrick, Warren Rosengrant, Alan Waclawski, Jim Kennelly, Mason Riepert, Roger Samuels, Richard Kramer, Michael Zimmerman and Richard Brandreth. And as pleased as Rock is to be back with the Brewsters, she still needs some company to share in Abby and Martha’s hospitality and drink up some laughs.
“If you want an intelligent night of comedy, a true comedic classic, then ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ is the way to go!” she says.
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“Arsenic and Old Lace,” Saturday Nov. 14, Saturday Nov. 20, Sunday Nov. 21, 8 p.m.; Sunday Nov. 15, Sunday Nov. 22, 3 p.m., at Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre (537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre). Tickets: $15 Info: 570.823.1875. $1 from each ticket sold opening night will go to Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. Donations will be accepted at all performances.
