Wednesday, May 16, 2007

A drop of arsenic puts the laughter in Laughing Stock

'Arsenic and Old Lace' opens at the nexStage


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Real life sisters Kathy and Patsy Wygle are the sweet but deadly Abby and Martha Brewster in ?Arsenic and Old Lace.? Photo by Willy Cook

When two spinster aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, decide to be good Samaritans and take care of the lonely hearts of Brooklyn's single men, who would suspect that their innocent deed would take the form of murder.

In Laughing Stock Theatre Company's production of Joseph Kesselring's "Arsenic and Old Lace," written in 1938 and opened on Broadway in 1941, all secrets will be revealed at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24 to Sunday, May 27 and Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3.

Why is Teddy Roosevelt digging the Panama Canal in the basement? What happened to their nephew Jonathon? And how does theater critic Mortimer handle his quirky family?

Featuring a host of talent, including director Scott Creighton, "Arsenic and Old Lace" is a classic comedy in which timing and movement is everything.

"I wanted to direct this play for three years. Both Patsy and Kathy Wygle live in town and it's a celebration of 30 years of the Laughing Stock Theatre Company," Creighton said.

The Wygle sisters, who play the infamous Abby and Martha Brewster, could not resist being in the production and Creighton had always believed they would make the perfect aunts.

"It's really a special play with Laughing Stock veterans as well as new actors. So, there is a spirit to all levels of experience," Creighton said. "It's truly is the best of community theater—a mix of professionals and non-professional actors where everyone is working together."

"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a classic screwball comedy that takes place right before World War II and where electricity is fast replacing gas lamps and candles. The world is changing and although the seemingly innocent sweet Brewster aunts know about the war and Hitler, it all really doesn't seem to effect them.

With the onslaught of men who enter the Brewster home never to be seen again, Mortimer Brewster has a tough time trying to find resolve on his own personal issues of marriage to Elaine (Dana DuGan) in an atmosphere of utter chaos.

"The heightened sense of movement and emotion that comes from door slamming comedies is great," Creighton said.

"We want the audience to laugh and leave with a huge smile on their face. Sun Valley seems to attract eccentric creative people and they are the lifeblood of theater and that is the spirit of Laughing Stock, truly community-minded that gets its community."

For tickets and information, call 726-4TKS.




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