‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ hits community centre stage starting next week

By Rob Vogt

Tickets are going fast for the Claresholm Arts Society’s latest production, “Arsenic and Old Lace”.
The show is set to take the stage at the Claresholm Community Centre on May 7, 8, 9, and two shows on May 10. The May 9 show will be a dinner theatre.
“Arsenic and Old Lace” tells the story of Mortimer Brewster, who is living a happy life with a steady job at a prominent New York newspaper. He has just become engaged, and gets to visit his sweet spinster aunts to announce the engagement.
He always knew his family had a bit of a mad gene, after all his brother believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt, but his world is turned upside down when he realizes what his dear aunts have been doing.
“Arsenic and Old Lace”, by playwright Joseph Kesselring, is an uproarious farce involving murder that has become a favourite in theatres around the world.
The cast consists of:
• Abby Brewster, played by Rosalind Kapala;
• Martha Brewster, played by Darla Slovak;
• Reverend Dr. Harper, played by Daryl Sutter;
• Teddy Brewster, played by John DeDominicis;
• Officer Brophy, played by Brody Hazelaar;
• Officer Klein, played by Charlie Navratil;
• Elaine Harper, played by Cassandra Navratil;
• Mortimer Brewster, played by Christopher Boehmer;
• Mr. Gibbs, played by Doug Buist;
• Joan Brewster, played by Tracey Ohler;
• Dr. Einstein, played by Melva Stinson;
• Officer O’Hara, played by Stephanie Norby;
• Lieutenant Rooney, played by Steve Holgate;
• Mr. Witherspoon, played by Tom O’Dell.
The play is led by first-time director Sam Chatterton who is being assisted by Tracey Ohler.
The cast is a blend of people who have never been on stage before, haven’t acted in decades, and those who are regulars in arts society productions.
“It’s been fun watching the cast learn from each other and play their characters off one another,” said Carmelle Steel of the arts society.
She invites everyone to come out to “Arsenic and Old Lace”.
“It’s just a really funny show,” Steel said. “(And come) support the local Claresholm arts community.”
Tickets are available on eventbrite or by contacting Carmelle Steel at 403-489-0885.