DUBOIS – Just in time for Halloween, the Reitz Theater Players bring a touch of creepiness and lots of laughs with the dark comedy classic Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring.
This theater and movie classic comes to the Reitz Theater stage at 8 p.m. Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 25-27 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 21.
The story revolves around Mortimer Brewster, which will be played by Chris Tarcson, a drama critic who must deal with his crazy family and the local police as he debates whether to go through with his promise to marry his love Elaine played by Melanie Faith Frank.
His two spinster aunts, played by Gayle Gearhart and Gwen Crandell, have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine.
While facing that dilemma, he also deals with a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt (Todd Shindledecker) and a murderous brother, Jonathan (Dave
Martin), who has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein (Ian Grieve), to conceal his identity and now looks like horror-film actor Boris Karloff.
Others actors in the ensemble include Rob Miller, Chris Martin, Beecher Klingensmith, R. Lee Chappel, Reg Hoover, Jonathan Heid and Father Ed Walk.
Director Dave Martin said he couldn’t be happier with the experience.
“The cast has been so committed and we have such a good time playing these parts,” he said. “During rehearsal, there have been many moments when the cast just breaks down with laughter because of the ridiculousness of these wonderful characters.”
A special opening night event will be held during the Oct. 19 show, as Laurel Mountain Winery will host a wine tasting one hour before the 8 p.m. show.
Sponsored by Apple Tractor, tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students and $5 for children 12 and under and can be purchased at Kohlhepps True Value, S&T Bank on Liberty Boulevard, Rosie’s Book Shop, Catherine’s Cache, Stew’s Brew Coffee House or Jim Stellabuto’s Everything Under Foot.
Tickets can also be reserved by calling the Reitz Theater Box Office at 375-4274, or visiting www.reitztheater.com.