For years, Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic and Old Lace (1939) has been one of our nation’s most performed plays, presented by countless schools and Community Theater groups. Taproot helps celebrate this chestnut’s 80th birthday party by staging a delightful rendition to open their new season. Though this famous piece is hardly a challenge for our successful Greenwood troupe, the Taproot folks led by Marianne Savell’s able direction, make sure that it provides a wonderful evening of solid Comedy Theater. Savell writes in her program notes about the play, “It’s good. Like, really good.” It is indeed, and as comforting and enjoyable as a warm fire on a mid-winter evening.
A large amount of the credit for the show’s success goes to the actresses playing the two eccentric and wily killers; Pam Nolte and Kim Morris playing the spinster sisters Martha and Abby Brewster. I have seen both of these talented women do fine work many times on the Taproot stage, but never have they shone so brightly as in this production. Eschewing any doddering old lady bits, they capture our hearts with a delightfully nuanced portrayal of two women who know exactly what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, whether or not it fits into any reasonable justice code!
Duties playing the flummoxed straight man go here to Richard Nguyen Sloniker who plays the sisters’ nephew, Mortimer. His initial discovery of the first body (yes, there is more than one) can serve as a tutorial on how to play a scene for maximum laughs. Kesselring gets a lot of “meta” humor out of the part by having Mortimer be a theater critic. Stephen Grenley returns to the Taproot stage to take on the part of his uncle Teddy Brewster, a character who is convinced he is actually Teddy Roosevelt. Grenley tackles the role with unbridled gusto, never faltering in his belief that he has many important presidential tasks to complete.
David Drummond plays Mortimer’s evil brother, Jonathan. Here the play may show its age just a bit, as it delivers a number of Boris Karloff jokes. Younger audience members may have to Google that name after the final curtain. The work does provide some scary chills as Jonathan and his accomplice Dr. Einstein (Nolan Palmer has this role) threaten the life of poor, innocent Mortimer. The odd blend of horror and comedy generally comes off well, somewhat like a 1939 version of Scream.
Elaine Harper portrays the charming Elizabeth, patiently waiting for Mortimer to overcome the challenges the wacky Brewster family gives him so that he can finally come around to marry her. Kristen Natalia, Kevin Pitman, Tyler Todd Kimmel and Gretchen Douma portray the mostly ineffectual arms of the law, gamely trying to keep up with the shenanigans at the old Brewster home. That home is gloriously placed on the Taproot stage by scenic and sound designer Mark Lund. It has been some time since the theater has featured a two-story set, and this early 20th century living room is a sight to behold.
Early on in the play, Abby says, “Oh, let’s not talk about the war.” Indeed, there were some very dark clouds hovering over the U.S. in 1939, but Kesserling was determined to keep them at bay in his rollicking comedy. Looking ahead to Taproot’s 2019 schedule, I’ve noticed a number of titles that should prove to be thought provoking and challenging. But here, the troupe has decided to begin its journey in a most joyful and lighthearted manner. Arsenic and Old Lace runs through March 2; do yourself a favor and join in on the fun!
The Taproot Theatre is on 204 N 85th Street in the heart of Greenwood. For ticket information go to taproottheatre.org or call 206-781-9707.