Classic play presents hilarious murder and insanity

WASILLA — Wearing a pith helmet and a moustache, Joshua Johnson, inhabiting the role of Teddy, insists his guests come see what he’s up to in the basement.

His aunts Martha and Abby — Tia Jones and Kelsi Jones respectively — look on indulgently.

“We let him dig the Panama Canal in the cellar,” Tia Jones says.

Teddy, it turns out, believes he is Teddy Roosevelt.

If these facts seem familiar to you that’s probably because, as Wasilla High School drama teacher Dewayne Joehnk said, the play “Arsenic and Old Lace” would rank very high on any listing of most popular productions for high schools in America.

“That’s just because it’s a great play and the characters are so strong,” he said.

But while the play is absurd — a fun little romp as Joehnk would have it — the comedy is pretty dark. Which becomes abundantly clear when Johnathan — another nephew of Abby and Martha — shows up.

“He’s got a body count,” Joehnk said. “The funny part about it is he’s tied with the aunts. The aunts have been helping lonely old gentlemen ‘find peace.’”

Joehnk was summing up the plot in between directing his cast and crew into a semi-dress rehearsal. Johnson walked up with a pince nez, employing a goofy voice to inform his teacher that it no longer fit.

“That’s because you’ve got it backwards,” Joehnk said, turning it around for him and putting it back on his face.

It was hard to tell if Johnson was in character or not. Joehnk laughed, saying that, with Johnson, it’s always that way.

“You talk about typecasting?” he joked.

But, seriously, he’s a big fan of Johnson’s.

“I’ve got a Teddy that rivals the one that was in the movie,” he said.

As everything swirled around him Wednesday, he said this is kind of how it always is. High school kids sometimes commit to things they later forget. Scenes weren’t all painted yet.

“It’s insanity,” Joehnk said. “But, opening night we’ll be there.”

He said putting the show together was more of a challenge than past productions.

“This is the first show that I’ve had so many new kids in it in a long time,” he said. But, between sports and drama, debate and forensics, “the experienced actors were too busy.”

Some of the kids came out of his improv program and know how to get laughs. Others came out of his drama class and are picking up the craft.

But, if you come to one of the shows over the next couple weeks, you won’t be disappointed.

“It’s a little rough but it’s a good show,” Joehnk said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

What: Joseph Kesselring’s “Arsenic and Old Lace”

Where: Wasilla High School theater

When: Show times are at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 7, 8, 14, and 15 and matinees are at 2 p.m. on Sundays Dec. 9 and 16. Tickets are $8 at the door.