LCHS To Stage "Arsenic And Old Lace"

"This show is hysterical," said Emma Reynolds, director of the Lancaster Catholic High School (LCHS) production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." "It's just as funny as it was (when it opened) in 1941." Not only is Reynolds charmed by the classic comedy, but the 12-member cast is also delighted. "When we did our read-through, by the second act, (the students) were bursting out laughing" recalled Reynolds.

"Arsenic and Old Lace" will be presented at the school, 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 18 through 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Audience members will be required to wear masks.

The farce, set in Brooklyn, N.Y., centers on the Brewster family, whose members, descended from the Mayflower settlers, are now decidedly off-kilter, some of them homicidal. Mortimer Brewster, played by Chris Cavender, is a drama critic who wants to honor his promise to marry Elaine Harper, played by Katie Lyle. Among the Brewster family members are Abby Brewster, played by Alexis Lenhart, and Martha Brewster, played by Lucy Schwartz, who poison lonely old men as a misguided act of compassion. Other cast members are Samuel Cassidy, who plays Teddy Brewster; Travis Cleveland as Jonathan Brewster; Lydia Fuhrman as Dr. Einstein; Murphy McCormick as Harper and Rooney; and Molly Schaeffer as Officer O'Hara. Julie Leonard will play Officer Brophy. Mihyanni Hernandez will play Officer Klein, and Joseph Martin will take the parts of Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Witherspoon.

Both Schwartz and Lenhart are relishing playing characters who are not who they seem to be. "They are two cute, really sweet old ladies," said Lenhart. "You don't expect them to be killers, and they don't see themselves as murderers."

"As they play goes on, you see that they aren't really what you expect them to be," added Schwartz. "They are traditional. They love to cook and tidy the house. It's very misleading."

"You have to get into their heads and understand why they murder," added Lenhart. "They do it as a charity."

Reynolds is pleased with the cast members' progress in rehearsing the farce. "We have really talented students," she said. "The kids are doing amazing. They are so dedicated. (They are) really getting into their characters." Reynolds added that the students are having fun mastering the physicality of the play. "The script is so rich, and the kids just bring it to life," she said.

Both Schwartz and Lenhart pointed out that the timing is right for a show filled with ironic humor. "It's lighthearted," noted Schwartz.

Lenhart agreed. "People need a comedy to give them a break from the real world," she said. "I hope to be able to do that for people in the audience."

More information about LCHS may be found at http://www.lchsyes.org.