“Arsenic and Old Lace”
If you are the sort who goes to see plays, chances are you have seen “Arsenic and Old Lace” at least once, either on stage or the 1944 film that stars Cary Grant. The play never dies, although offstage many people do in this classic comedy about the Brewster family, whose eccentricities include an inclination to murder.
Since many people already know the plot, a good deal of the enjoyment comes from seeing how the play is produced, and how it differs from the way you remember it. If that’s the case, the current production at Bethlehem’s Pennsylvania Playhouse won’t kill your taste for another viewing.
There are fine characterizations. Diane Hriniak, as Abby, is cheerfully dithering, and constrasts well with Lois Ann Oakes as the seemingly more practical Martha. They are realistic both as sweet old ladies and as accomplished poisoners. And Richard Silvoy has the right amount of bluster as Teddy Brewster (who believes that he is Teddy Roosevelt).
The play starts a little slowly. The action is a bit stiff, beginning as if “Arsenic” were an old fashioned drawing room comedy. Bob Bennicoff as Mortimer Brewster and LeeAnne Incalcaterra do not create any sparks as a couple in love, and Mortimer seems more like an accountant than a sophisticated drama critic.
He comes to life, though, when he plays against his evil cousin Jonathan (Brandon Fogel), who shows up at the Brewster residence to hide out. The two seethe visibly as they scheme against each other.
Fogel is wonderfully hammy as he plays out his sinister intentions, but he always retains his sense of menace. His nefarious intention to use “The Melbourne Method” to torture Mortimer might stay in your mind for quite a while after the play is over.
Steve Betancourt is wonderful as Jonathan’s put-upon partner, Dr. Herman Einstein. His portrayal is based on that of Peter Lorre in the film version, but Betancourt adds funny physical touches, like when he bumps around in the dark attempting to move a body.
Jerry Brucker adds laughs as the O’Hara, the cop who aspires to be a playwright. Using a solid New Yawk accent, his sunny egotism makes his obtuseness both humorous and easy to believe.
As is the case in many Pennsylvania Playhouse productions, the elaborate set is charming, revealing a Victorian parlor that shows just a few touches of the Brooklyn of the forties, when the play takes place. There is also a staircase, where Teddy can yell “Charge!” whenever he ascends it (he imagines that he is going up San Juan Hill).
Director Nancy Homlish presents a play that is entertaining throughout its nearly two-and-a-half hour length (with two intermissions). If you have never seen “Arsenic and Old Lace”, and refuse to see it this time around, you should at least stop in at the Playhouse. I’m sure Abby and Martha will be glad to offer you a complementary glass of home-made elderberry wine.
“Arsenic and Old Lace”, February 21 and 22 at 8 p.m., February 23 at 3 p.m., Pennsylvania Playhouse, Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem, $18 adults, $15 seniors and students (18 and under) Friday and Sunday only, 610-865-6665, www.paplayhouse.org
--Dave Howell, 2/03
(This article first appeared in The Morning Call newspaper.)
Since many people already know the plot, a good deal of the enjoyment comes from seeing how the play is produced, and how it differs from the way you remember it. If that’s the case, the current production at Bethlehem’s Pennsylvania Playhouse won’t kill your taste for another viewing.
There are fine characterizations. Diane Hriniak, as Abby, is cheerfully dithering, and constrasts well with Lois Ann Oakes as the seemingly more practical Martha. They are realistic both as sweet old ladies and as accomplished poisoners. And Richard Silvoy has the right amount of bluster as Teddy Brewster (who believes that he is Teddy Roosevelt).
The play starts a little slowly. The action is a bit stiff, beginning as if “Arsenic” were an old fashioned drawing room comedy. Bob Bennicoff as Mortimer Brewster and LeeAnne Incalcaterra do not create any sparks as a couple in love, and Mortimer seems more like an accountant than a sophisticated drama critic.
He comes to life, though, when he plays against his evil cousin Jonathan (Brandon Fogel), who shows up at the Brewster residence to hide out. The two seethe visibly as they scheme against each other.
Fogel is wonderfully hammy as he plays out his sinister intentions, but he always retains his sense of menace. His nefarious intention to use “The Melbourne Method” to torture Mortimer might stay in your mind for quite a while after the play is over.
Steve Betancourt is wonderful as Jonathan’s put-upon partner, Dr. Herman Einstein. His portrayal is based on that of Peter Lorre in the film version, but Betancourt adds funny physical touches, like when he bumps around in the dark attempting to move a body.
Jerry Brucker adds laughs as the O’Hara, the cop who aspires to be a playwright. Using a solid New Yawk accent, his sunny egotism makes his obtuseness both humorous and easy to believe.
As is the case in many Pennsylvania Playhouse productions, the elaborate set is charming, revealing a Victorian parlor that shows just a few touches of the Brooklyn of the forties, when the play takes place. There is also a staircase, where Teddy can yell “Charge!” whenever he ascends it (he imagines that he is going up San Juan Hill).
Director Nancy Homlish presents a play that is entertaining throughout its nearly two-and-a-half hour length (with two intermissions). If you have never seen “Arsenic and Old Lace”, and refuse to see it this time around, you should at least stop in at the Playhouse. I’m sure Abby and Martha will be glad to offer you a complementary glass of home-made elderberry wine.
“Arsenic and Old Lace”, February 21 and 22 at 8 p.m., February 23 at 3 p.m., Pennsylvania Playhouse, Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem, $18 adults, $15 seniors and students (18 and under) Friday and Sunday only, 610-865-6665, www.paplayhouse.org
--Dave Howell, 2/03
(This article first appeared in The Morning Call newspaper.)