A few plays become like old friends seldom seen; after a few minutes getting reacquainted you remember how funny, smart and witty they are and quickly wish they could be around more often. “Arsenic and Old Lace” is one such work, playing now at the Plaza Theatre in Cleburne.
This American theater classic is a black comedy that’s heavy on the comedy and pretty light on the black. When first produced in 1941, its plot line about two spinster sisters and their “charity” work poisoning of lonely, elderly gentlemen was a bit shocking; however, our sensibilities in this new millennium are a bit more hardened, and the whole thing seems more quaint than menacing.
The play centers on Mortimer Brewster, a theater-hating drama critic and his crazy, homicidal family. His two aunts have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of homemade elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine and “just a pinch” of cyanide. One brother believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and digs locks for the Panama Canal in the cellar (which then serve as graves for the aunts’ victims) and another, more sinister brother has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein, to conceal his identity and now looks like horror film actor Boris Karloff. (The part was originally played on the stage by Karloff.) If the plot seems twisted and confusing, it’s meant to be, and there’s plenty more to come before plays end. There are more twists and turns here than on a Colorado, Rocky Mountain road, and the cast, especially Mortimer, is in a constant state of slapstick frenzy.
The play is best known from the 1944 film adaptation by Frank Capra (“It’s a Wonderful Life”) starring the impeccably cool Cary Grant and the comically creepy Peter Lorre. Anyone who’s seen the film can’t help but make comparisons. Happily, the Plaza cast fares quite well.
Co-directors Aaron and Milette Siler put the actors through their paces and have choreographed constant action from one end of the stage to the other at all times. Curt Mega has by far the most difficult part as Mortimer. While Mortimer doesn’t always get the best punch lines, he must shoulder the bulk of the physical labor. All the elements of the screwball comedy are embodied in this character: the classic double take, running about the stage frantically, having other characters leap into his arms and even being bound and gagged. It’s no wonder that at the opening night performance Mega suffered a slight wardrobe malfunction as his wireless microphone fell out of his suit. To his credit, he swiftly played it off, never broke character and didn’t miss a line.
The Brewster sisters are superbly played by Darcy Farring and Tania Mayes. Their characters provide the counterbalance to Mortimer’s frantic scenery-chewing as they calmly flitter about the stage with a blithe serenity. The menacing darkness of the play is provided by estranged brother Jonathan and his henchman, Dr. Einstein. JaceSon P. Barrus as Jonathan is perfect. He physically looms over the other characters and seems perfectly able and willing to perform the dastardly deeds he constantly threatens.
Gregory Burton as Dr. Einstein is a find and delivers an eye popping performance. While channeling Peter Lorre’s characterization from the film, Burton still manages to bring new qualities to Dr. Einstein and demands one’s attention even if he’s not delivering or even a part of the dialogue or main action. Felicia E. Taylor, as Mortimer’s put-upon fiancee, Elaine Harper, plays the only sane character on stage and does so quite well. She provides the only calm in the storm for poor frenzied Mortimer.
Gerald Anderson plays the second Brewster brother, Teddy, who if he can’t be Teddy Roosevelt simply refuses to be anyone at all. Anderson is another actor who demands ones attention even when he isn’t playing center stage. He’s constantly fidgeting with the furniture when he isn’t charging up San Juan Hill (the staircase) or digging locks in the Panama Canal (the basement).
Jon Kennedy plays Elaine’s father Dr. Harper but is at his best in the second act, when he plays the frail, nervous Mr. Witherspoon, the superintendent of the insane asylum and soon to be home for most of the Brewster clan. James Long plays the duel roles of Mr. Gibbs, the 12th unwilling recipient of the Brewster sisters’ charity, and Lt. Rooney brought in to tie up all the loose ends.
Wes Bourland’s Irish brogue is consistent and believable as is his portrayal of Officer O’Hara, the part-time playwright and full-time Brooklyn police officer.
Carr Parrish as Officer Brophy, ably performs the part of the wise if somewhat clueless mentor to Officer O’Hara. Hosannas must be thrown to “Abby Normal,” who portrays the various corpses in the play. This young performer is carried, pushed, pulled, locked up and generally tossed willy-nilly about the stage and demonstrates the talent of a seasoned trouper at a young age.
Special thanks go out to the Plaza Guild volunteers who ushered and served cookies and Plazaberry wine. It had quite a “punch” to the audience at intermission. Intrepid theater lovers like these fine people are the backbone of any theater group, and they all too often go unnoticed, unbilled and unthanked for their hours of work.
The Plaza has staged another winner with “Arsenic and Old Lace,” so kick off your holiday season with Mortimer and his clan. As your offbeat family gathers around the turkey this Thanksgiving, you’ll at least be grateful you’re not a Brewster!
“Arsenic and Old Lace” runs through Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, with two performances Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For information, call 817-202-0600 or visit www.plaza-theatre.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
During a tense moment in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Officer O’Hara (Wes Bourland), left, points his gun at the door as Mortimer Brewster (Curt Mega), center, is tied up, and Mortimer’s sinister brother, Jonathan (JaceSon P. Barrus), sleeps. Leia Jobe/Times-Review
Discussion
REVIEW: ‘Arsenic’ goes down smoothly
- Cleburne
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
-
Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
-
Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
-
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
- Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
- Drought no more
- Number of sex offenders increases
- Council approves trash truck purchases
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
-
Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
-
Indians on top of selections
- Godley
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
-
Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
-
Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
-
-
Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
-
Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
-
Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
-
Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
- Man defends himself against two suspects
- Venus registers minor quake
- USGS registers minor county quake
- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
-
Never forgotten
