In the Brewster family, even kindness has a body count. Out of all the afflictions that could have been passed down the Brewster bloodline, Mortimer’s folks got the worst of all: a taste for murder. And what better time to find out than the very day he proposed to the woman he wants to build a family with.
From the comfort of a seat at the Whidbey Playhouse, community members dealing with family woes might find a few hours of relief in witnessing Mortimer’s reality crumble before his eyes, relishing in the thought that perhaps there are worse people to be associated with than their mean in-laws.
Starting Nov. 3, the Playhouse is presenting “Arsenic & Old Lace,” a dark comedy that debuted on Broadway 82 years ago that was adapted into the Hollywood classic starring Cary Grant. Gaye Litka, who plays Mortimer’s eccentric aunt Martha Brewster, said she proposed the play because senior patrons would particularly appreciate it. Though younger generations might be unfamiliar with Joseph Kesselring’s play, the humor holds up to this day.
Mortimer finds out that his sweet, innocent-looking aunts Martha and Abby have been poisoning lonely men with a cocktail of elderberry wine, arsenic, strychnine and a “pinch” of cyanide in what they claim is an act of compassion. While he tries his best to protect his unremorseful aunts from the consequences of their actions, Mortimer’s homicidal brother Jonathan forces his way into the house to hide from the law while his other brother, Teddy, believes he is Theodore Roosevelt and is an unsuspecting accomplice of his aunts’ misdeeds.
When Director David Frazer read the script, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Though the story unfolds in impossibly bad ways for Mortimer, Frazer finds some truth to it — which is, no family tree is 100% safe from the cuckoo gene.
The audience might notice a familiar face among the talented performers: former Oak Harbor City Councilmember Bill Larsen. Though it might be a shock to see him run and blow a trumpet with comedic impetus, he plays a quite convincing pseudo-Teddy Roosevelt.
“I work in an office environment where you have to be a little bit more reserved,” said Larsen, who works for the county. “Everybody has an inner Teddy, but we don’t often get to let him out. It’s been really fun to just cut loose.”
Cast members expressed their appreciation for the depth of the characters, the play’s Halloweeny vibe and the witty dialogues.
Riley Stowell, who plays the panicked Mortimer, said he appreciates how the play turns morbid and normally unfunny topics into comedy material.
“If you don’t already have a grim sense of humor you might leave with a little bit of one,” he said.
“Arsenic & Old Lace” runs Nov. 3-26. To find out if Mortimer will succumb to madness, people can buy a ticket at whidbeyplayhouse.com or by calling the box office at 360-679-2237.
Mortimer Brewster (played by Riley Stowell) learns a shocking truth from his aunts Abby and Martha (played by Tamara Skyes and Gaye Litka). (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Fugitive Jonathan Brewster (played by Nate Edmiston) sleeps, unaware that Officer Brophy (played by Ron Wilhelm) is standing next to him. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
At left, Dr. Einstein (played by Kevin Wm Meyer) helps his evil client Jonathan Brewster (played by Nate Edmiston) tie up Mortimer Brewster (played by Riley Stowell). (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Jonathan Brewster (at left) and Dr. Einstein (at right) intimidate Mortimer’s fiancée Elaine Harper (played by Melissa Van Der Veen). (Photo by Luisa Loi)
