Arsenic and Old Lace to bring comedy to Ely

Arsenic and Old Lace cast photo from rehearsal includes, front, l-r: Marcia Homer, Mary Ann Pauling, second row: Sara Skelton, Peter Kess, Andrea Strom, Mary Kay Fortier Spalding, Lis McCrea, Vince O’Connor, back: Dave O’Donnell, George Spalding, Karin Schmidt. Absent were: Jim Beaty, Cindy Dieter, Ricardo Smith. Performances are Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Ely. Submitted photo
Arsenic and Old Lace is coming to Ely on September 30 and October 1. A radio show style staged reading will open on Saturday, September 30 at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, October 1 at 2 p.m. Presented by the Northern Lakes Arts Association and Happy For That Theatre Company, both performances will be at the Vermilion College Theater. Tickets are by donation at the door.
Set in Brooklyn in 1941, Arsenic and Old Lace tells the story of Mortimer Brewster, a young, successful Broadway theatre critic who lives in Brooklyn with his two sweet maiden aunts, Abby and Martha, and his harmless, but deluded brother, Teddy, who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt.
The plot turns quickly when Mortimer discovers, much to his shock and dismay, that murder seems to be the family business. A revelation he can’t possibly share with his new fiancé, Elaine, the girl next door.
As the bodies begin to stack up, Mortimer’s evil brother, Jonathon, returns to use his old home as a hideout with his friend, and plastic surgeon, Dr. Einstein. Even the police become unwitting accomplices in this rollicking comedy by Joseph Kesselring, filled with mirthful murder and mayhem.
The 1944 film version of Arsenic and Old Lace, starring Cary Grant, has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 50 funniest scripts of all time.
Don’t miss this LIVE radio show style staged reading, with scripts in hand, of a timeless classic!