The Arsenic and Old Lace cast began rehearsals in late May. Pictured from left Anita Ba-Radwan as “Abby,” Dan Lyons as “Mortimer,” Joy Martin as “Martha,” and Patrick O’Brien as “Mr. Witherspoon."
photo by TRP
The Ringgold Playhouse is gearing up for its third production of the 2015 Season, as tickets for Joseph Kesselring’s classic comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace, went on sale Monday morning.
Fresh off the heels of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof,” which ran in May, TRP is switching gears from drama to comedy this summer with the murder comedy about two sweet little old ladies, who turn out to be more dangerous than 1940’s Brooklyn could have ever imagined.
“It’s a really funny show, with a lot of crazy characters that audiences are going to fall in love with,” said Adam Cook, executive director of TRP. “A lot of people have crazy aunts in their families, but I don’t think anyone has a duo quite like this.”
Review for Arsenic and Old Lace:
The story revolves around Abby and Martha Brewster, played by Anita Ba-Radwan and Joy Martin, who use their old family home to rent rooms to lonely gentlemen with no families, or really anywhere to go. Once inside the Brewster home, the ladies take it upon themselves to poison the poor “lost souls” and give them a proper send off from this lonely world.
Their full-proof plan hits a snag when their witty journalist nephew Mortimer discovers their process, and tries to keep any and everyone from finding out the truth about his dear aunts.
The arrival of Mortimer’s criminal brother Jonathan, the ravings of his lunatic brother Teddy, who thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt, and Brooklyn police dropping by the house constantly create quite the hysterical atmosphere for Mort.
Can Mortimer keep his aunt’s secret, or with Brooklyn’s finest stumble across the 13 bodies buried in the Brewster’s cellar?
“It’s really a great show,” Mr. Cook said. “It’s funny, it’s face-paced, and the comedic timing of these actors has really been a blast to watch develop from our very first rehearsal.”
Although Mr. Cook says TRP usually tries to produce lesser known works that haven’t been overdone, the chance to stage this comedy classic was too good to pass up.
“We try to do things a little different, and do shows that people haven’t seen half a dozen times at other places, but with this one, it’s okay to make an exception once in a while," said Mr. Cook. "The play has been around over 75 years, which means there’s a lot of special stuff in it that has stood the test of time. We’re excited about the production, and we’re looking forward to sharing a lot of laughs with the community this summer.”
In addition to Ba-Radwan and Martin, the cast is rounded out with Dan Lyons as “Mortimer,” Mark Morgan as “Jonathan,” Dana Rogers as “Teddy,” Ayana Winchester as “Elaine,” Joshua Chisholm as “Dr. Einstein,” Daniel Pound as “Officer O’Hara,” Renee Lierow as “Officer Klein,” Dexter Coley as “Officer Brophy,” David Dunn as “Mr. Gibbs/Lt. Rooney,” and Pat O’Brien as “Rev. Dr. Harper/Mr. Witherspoon.”
Arsenic and Old Lace will open on Thursday, July 16, and will run for six performances July 16-18 and 23-25, with all shows beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 general admission or $8 for seniors and students and are available in person Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., over the phone at 706.935-3061, or online at RPH2015.eventbrite.com.
For more information visit cityofringgold.com, call 706.935-3061 or at Facebook:www.facebook.com/TheRinggoldPlayhouse, Twitter: @RinggPlayhouse
The Ringgold Playhouse is located inside the historic Depot in downtown Ringgold.
photo by TRP