Go insane with upcoming play
By Tony Tsoodle, News Writing Student
Death, murder and insanity will make for a killer weekend as “Arsenic and Old Lace” is performed Nov. 29 through 31 in the OCCC theater.
Director Brent Noel said he felt like the college needed “a laugh-out-loud, feel-good comedy about death and insanity.”
“It is one of the funniest plays ever written,” Noel said.
“It’s a chance to give the audience some good laughs shortly before Christmas and not challenge their intellect or emotions too much.”
The farcical, dark comedy takes place in Brooklyn, N.Y., and focuses on the main character Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who copes with his bizarre, homicidal family.
Mortimer has two murderous aunts, the Brewster sisters, who are known throughout the neighborhood for their charitable works. But the sisters get noticed when they take to killing older men with a deadly concoction of homemade elderberry wine, arsenic, strychnine and cyanide.
The aunts have a nephew, Teddy Brewster, who lives with them. He envisions himself as former President Teddy Roosevelt, played by OCCC theater student Jonathan Allen.
“I have wanted to be a part of this play since high school,” Allen said.
“Arsenic and Old Lace” was originally written in 1939 by American playwright Joseph Kesselring.
Noel said nearly 30 OCCC students auditioned for the 14 parts.
Playing the part of Mortimer Brewster is John-Printes Davis, who also was cast in October’s theater performance of “Piece Of My Heart.”
The two homicidal aunts are played by Sarah Tucker as Abby Brewster and Kayla Epperson as Martha Brewster.
Jonathan Allen will play Teddy Brewster while Phillip Aken is playing Jonathan Brewster.
“I play the part of the antagonist,” Aken said.
Matt Fowler will act as Dr. Einstein; Sarah Young plays Elaine Harper,
Playing the parts of the law enforcement officers are Matthew Mattocks, Alex Massey, Denton Field, and Randall Beavers while Jeff Dittenber will play The Rev. Dr. Harper.
An OCCC English professor, Richard Rouillard, will play Mr. Gibbs.
Noel describes the set as ornate with elaborate costumes, all evoking the Victorian era.
“It’s a period piece, we want to do it like it was done in 1941,” Noel said.
“[The theater department] probably will have to rent antique furniture, since it is hard to find, or hand make it, to achieve that Victorian feel.”
A free performance of “Arsenic and Old Lace” will be performed for students and faculty (with a current college ID) on Thursday, Nov. 29. Student tickets are $5 while general admission tickets are $7.
