It?s a killer. The audience roared with laughter during Centerstage?s opening night of Arsenic and Lace.
Joseph Kesselring?s 1939 play follows Mortimer, a drama critic who discovers that his two elderly aunts have been euthanizing old men with elderberry wine for sport and letting his mentally ill brother bury them in the basement of their old house. Meanwhile, Mortimer?s other brother, Jonathan, who has had plastic surgery to avoid being arrested for murder, comes back to torment the family.
The aunts are sweet ? they invite the minister over for tea, make food for the sick wives of policemen, and allow their nephew, who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt, to live with them rather than be committed. In fact, they are so sweet and innocent, they will make you rethink your opinion of cold-blooded murder. It would be a wonder if anyone faulted them for stealing the show, which is exactly what happens.
Actress Pamela Payton-Wright is absolutely phenomenal as Aunt Abby. She is so talented that she can literally make one sound and immediately have the audience wrapped around her finger. Her comedic timing is natural and relaxed, and her deadpan delivery is unexpected, which makes her lines even funnier.
AuntMartha is played by Tana Hicken, who is also perfect for her role. Although less entertaining than Payton-Wright, Hicken had her own share of wickedly juicy one-liners, delivered with just the right amount of sarcasm and wit.
The strikingly pretty Brynn O?Malley plays Elaine, Mortimer?s fiancee. She is graceful to watch on stage, but tends to overact, reminding the audience that they are, in fact, watching a play.
Ian Kahn as Mortimer is amusing with his over-the-top facial expressions and sweeping movements, but also overacts, sometimes using too much movement to enhance his performance. It would do him well to take his acting style down a notch or two.
John Campion as Jonathan is delightfully creepy, making the audience hate him on sight. Teddy, played by John Ahlin, is funny and sweet, the only completely innocent character in the play.
And Craig Bockhorn as Lt. Rooney takes a small part and makes it memorable, yelling out orders in a thick Brooklyn accent.
IF YOU GO
Arsenic and Old Lace
VENUE: Centerstage, 700 N. Calvert St., Baltimore
WHEN: Through October 14, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday
TICKETS: $15 to $45
