'Arsenic and Old Lace' to be performed in Carbondale
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Remaining performances of "Arsenic and Old Lace" are Dec. 11, 12 and 13. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at the Varsity Center for the Arts, located at 418 South Illinois Avenue in Carbondale. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Tickets can be purchased at the Varsity Center Box Office, on Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to performances. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Tickets can also be purchased during these hours by calling the box office at 618-549-5466, or for a small convenience fee, purchase tickets online anytime by visiting www.stagecompany.org.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>About the play</strong></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a farcically dark, fun-infused frenzy which introduces a steady array of memorable characters in comically quick procession. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Abby and Martha Brewster are a pair of charming spinster sisters who have a unique problem as landladies; while they seem to have a plethora of prospective boarders, the turnover rate seems rather high as none of their tenants appear to stick around for very long...nor do they ever seem to leave. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Abby and Martha's devoted nephew, drama critic Mortimer Brewster represents "normalcy" in this otherwise homicidal family. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">He runs interference with the local police while wavering on his pending vows with the beautifully bright Elaine Harper, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Harper. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Enter psychopathic nephew, Jonathan Brewster, who conceals his identify through repeated, plastic surgery performed by the intoxicated Dr. Einstein, whose appearance closely resembles horror-film actor Boris Karloff; a self-referential joke, given the role was originally performed on Broadway by Karloff. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Rounding out the nephews is Teddy Brewster who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt. Add to this twisted bunch, an assortment of police officers and inquiring roomers, and you've got the makings of homicidal hilarity sure to please the most comically-impaired.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>About the director</strong></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A Stage Company member since 1991, Catherine Field is a veteran actor and director, appearing in many Stage Company productions, the latest being Inspecting Carol and Dead Man's Cell Phone, as well as two recent gala productions. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A crew member for many Stage Company productions, she most recently directed The 39 Steps, Huckleberry Finn, and Tom Sawyer. She served two terms as president of the Stage Company, and sat on the committees establishing the Varsity Center for the Arts.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Directors/Cast</strong></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Director, Cathy Field.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Assistant Director, Susan Harrocks.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Abby Brewster, Susan Harrocks.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Martha Brewster, Rita Pearce.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Jonathan Brewster, Mike Lehker.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Mortimer Brewster, Josh McLernon.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Teddy Brewster, Rich Whitney.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Rev. Dr. Harper, H. Grant Mosley.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Elaine Harper, Amanda Shine.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Dr. Einstein, Joseph Robbie.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Officer Brophy, Tricia Burns.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Officer Klein, Bryce Wiley.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Mr. Gibbs, Craig Hinde.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Officer O'Hara, Paul Vanni.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Lieutenant Rooney, Sam Foskey.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Mr. Witherspoon, Craig Hinde.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">For more information you may contact the director, Cathy Field, catherine@fieldhughes.net. </span></p>