‘Arsenic and Old Lace:’ VPA dusts off a classic, dark comedy for Halloween fun

WASILLA — With the Halloween season somewhat in mind, Valley Performing Arts is turning its second show of its 42nd season to the comedically demented classic “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

Originally written in 1940, the story is probably best known from the 1945 film adaptation starring Cary Grant in the role of Mortimer Brewster, the nephew of a pair of murderous spinsters, who see nothing wrong whatsoever in poisoning lonely elderly men and hiding their bodies in the cellar. The aunts are aided in their murderous mission of “mercy” by a pair of psychotic cousins — one who earnestly believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and the piling bodies are part of his Panama Canal construction, and the more sinister one, Jonathan, played by former VPA Actor of the Year winner Todd Broste.

“You have a really strong cast in the principles and it’s definitely fun from the perspective of — everybody’s bad except the one guy (Mortimer) who’s trying to keep things under wraps,” Broste said. “Everyone except him is unrepentant about it; they’re proud of what they’ve done. Mortimer is the only one with some level of remorse; he’s trying to keep the insanity under wraps, and that’s pretty much the comic element.”

Scott Brown, in the role of Mortimer, said he’s approached the role with a bit more of a slapstick bent.

“I’m coming at it a little differently, a little more actively, more animated and a little more comedic, more physical comedy than you’ve probably seen,” Brown said. “The contrast is, I’m the sane one but I’m being driven crazy by all the insanity around me.”

The plot begins with Mortimer bringing his fianceé, Elaine, played by Brown’s wife Sharon Brown, home to meet his eccentric aunts.

Director Steve O’Brien said filling the role for Elaine, as well as finding men to fill the roles of the naïve policemen, who can’t bring themselves to ever suspect Abby and Martha Brewster of serial murder, was probably the biggest challenge. Fortunately, Sharon, whose previous role in VPA was ‘Elf the Musical’ was there to step in.

“I enjoy being part of the theater with my husband and this gives us the opportunity to come out together and be in a play,” Sharon Brown said. “I was originally cast as a police officer, then a couple weeks later as Elaine Harper. This is my first non-musical, so there’s a little difference with the comedic timing, knowing when to pause and when to give your lines.”

O’Brien decided it ultimately would work best to recast the roles of the three policemen and policewomen. He even did a little research to justify the reality of such a move.

“I checked on that and the New York Police Department had 14 women in 1940 and the amazing thing is this one precinct has three of them,” O’Brien chuckled.

Kaitlyn Barcelona plays Officer O’Hara, Angel Eaches plays Officer Brophy, and Wasilla City Council Member Gretchen O’Barr is Lt. Rooney to round out the trio of cops who refuse to suspect the sisters because they’re so well known and trusted for their works of charity and church service.

And as far as the sisters are concerned, poisoning these sad souls with their elderberry wine, is just a part of their overall service to the cause of mercy.

“They’ve been working charities all their lives, they live right next to the church, help the sick and the poor and anyone, anytime people need assistance, and therefore, the police love us,” said Cynthia Lee, who plays Abby, alongside Linda Llewelyn’s Martha. “We are living in la la land, but we find nothing wrong with what we’re doing. We even offer to show the grave to the police but see, they don’t believe us because we’re too sweet.”

O’Brien said the chemistry of Lee and Llewelyn has been brilliant in run-ups to tonight’s debut performance.

“The two of them, they just complement each other so well,” O’Brien said. “They’re like Abbott and Costello or Laurel and Hardy. They’re a great visual combination and they have great acting ability.”

Arsenic and Old Lace runs through Nov. 5 with Friday and Saturday shows at 7 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.valleyperformingarts.org.

“It is a timeless classic comedy that they will be laughing about and remembering for a long time,” Scott Brown said. “And there’s nothing like a good comedy to brighten up your day.”

Arsenic and Old Lace

The Cast

Abby Brewster – Cynthia Lee

Martha Brewster – Linda Llewelyn

Elaine Harper – Sharon Brown

Mortimer Brewster – Scott Brown

Teddy Brewster – Chris Ruge

Jonathan Brewster – Todd Broste

Dr. Einstein – James Eaches

Mr. Gibbs / Mr. Witherspoon – Daniel Carrick

The Rev. Dr. Harper – Elizabeth France

Officer O’Hara – Kaitlyn Barcelona

Officer Brophy – Angel Eaches

Lieutenant Rooney – Gretchen O’Barr