Farmington Community Arts’ Arsenic and Old Lace is a Funny Family Intro to the Halloween Season

By Megan Holley

Arsenic and Old Lace, playing for two more nights in Farmington, is almost sold out, so come for dinner and a super fun show. Two gentle old women who also happened to have murdered twelve people, are planning to do in another one. They think these murders are a kindness. Does this sound funny? Well, surprisingly and delightfully, it is!

Abby Brewster, played by Gretchen Bullswitzer, and her sister Martha Brewster, played by Tami Taylor, are a pair of the funniest actresses I’ve seen in a long time. They are entirely believable in their wacky interest to rid the pain from lonely old men who have no family. The sisters’ cavalier attitude as they plan the next murder takes a certain talent to make sure audience members don’t think they’re monsters and Bullswitzer and Taylor are great. We love them in spite of their life of crime.

Teddy Brewster, nephew to these women, has his own issues, as he is convinced he’s Teddy Roosevelt. Stephen Parker fills this role charmingly. Parker stays in character and it made me think, was this really how Roosevelt acted? And Parker’s bugle playing is pretty impressive. Mortimer Brewster, Teddy’s older brother, played Mark Andrus, is one of the few sane characters in the play. It isn’t easy to be the straight man, and Andrus carries this manfully. Mortimer’s fiancée Elaine, played by Windy Martin, another sane character in the bunch, is willing to stick with this family, though Mortimer exclaims that his family is pretty nutty. Martin portrays Elaine with love and caring and a good bit of humor.

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Dr. Einstein (Josh Astle) and Jonathan Brewster (Joseph Nichols) also add to the mania and hilarity. Astle has great comedic timing and Nichols is the villain who is so awful, you love to hate him. Both do well in their opposing roles.

Arsenic and Old Lace is an old-timey comedy that requires excellent timing. Director Katie Plott keeps the show clipping along. The Sound and Lighting Crew: Manager Mark Pozzouli, Tech Lily Switzer and Hannah Switzer, and Booth Babe Tery Binkerd bring lovely sound to this space. Set Build Manager Jeff Plott has created a cozy space to house this nuttiness. No costumer was listed, but costumes are fun and charming and added authenticity and charm to the production. Kennedy Miller, Stage Manager, keeps everyone in line and gave us all a seamless show.

Note: This is a full evening. Act One is over an hour and there is dinner, as well. Delicious dinner, I might add! Also, though it may not sound like it, this show is completely family-friendly.

Farmington Community Arts has created a delicious and talented night to all who come to see Arsenic and Old Lace. Get your tickets quick!

Farmington Community Arts Council presents Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesselring.
Farmington Community Arts Center, 120 S Main St., Farmington, UT 84025
Contact: 801-451-0953
Tickets: $20
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