Theater returns to Woodhaven in the form of the classic macabre comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace," which is being performed by The First String Players this weekend at St. Luke’s Church in Woodhaven. The play is produced by Theresa McLoughlin and is being performed under the direction of Paul Morisi. "Arsenic" made its’ debut on Broadway in 1941 with Boris Karloff in a supporting role. A film version was made that same year, but not released until 3 years later, after the show had closed. The film version starred Cary Grant and was directed by Frank Capra.
Set in Brooklyn, "Arsenic" tells the story of Mortimer Brewster -- a drama critic with an aversion to marriage and a girlfriend who can't wait to get married. His reluctance to get married stems from his family's tendency to be unusual. His family includes two spinster aunts who murder lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of elderberry wine laced with arsenic, a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, and a menacing and murdering brother who has received plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff.
The play has remained popular for over 70 years and is a staple for local productions. And since it's set in nearby Brooklyn, it's practically a homecoming! We dropped by on the evening of the last dress rehearsal -- the troupe will be giving 3 performances:
Friday – January 8 @ 7pm
Saturday – January 9 @ 7pm
Sunday – January 10 @ 3pm
The stage has been built with care and attention to detail by set designer Alex Breviario. They have kept the setting of the play in the 1940s so they needed to gather some old-fashioned furniture. Some of the furniture came from people's basement, other pieces were found in the trash -- the kitchen chairs, for example, were found on the sidewalk awaiting collection in Howard Beach. Other important pieces -- such as the classic old telephone -- needed to be rented from a store that specialized in renting props for plays.
Here is our video report from the last dress rehearsal before opening night --
The play is being performed at St. Luke's Church, 87-34 85th Street and tickets are only 10 dollars. Tickets are sold at the door and all seats are general admission. It's a comfortable environment -- there isn't a bad seat in the house -- and it's great to be able to see a local performance close up like this.
It's important that we support efforts like this -- and encourage more of them. Local theater groups add life to the neighborhood -- and it gives our young folks an outlet -- not only performing, but building sets, costumes, makeup, etc. And it should be noted that 50% of the proceeds is going to St. Luke's while the other half will be put towards future shows.
Congratulations to the First String Players and St. Luke's for bringing theater back to Woodhaven. Thanks for inviting us down and making us feel welcome -- we're looking forward to coming to the show this weekend. In the old show business tradition -- break a leg!
CAST OF CHARACTERS ABBY BREWSTER…………………………….Stef Morisi
(in order of appearance)
THE REV. DR. HARPER..…………………….Paul Morisi
TEDDY BREWSTER..………………………..Kevin Korber
OFFICER BROPHY..…………………………Alex Breviario
OFFICER KLEIN…………………….…….Brendan Kerney
MARTHA BREWSTER……………………..…Nicole Bilbao
ELAINE HARPER……………………….Christine Breviario
MORTIMER BREWSTER..………………..Kevin McAuley
MR. GIBBS.…………………………………Jeremy Lardieri
JONATHAN BREWSTER..…………………Liam MacLarty
DR. EINSTEIN………….……………………….David Cronin
OFFICER O’HARA..……………………………Steve Morisi
LIEUTENANT ROONEY………….…Danny P. Maldonado
MR. WITHERSPOON……………………………Matt Cronin
If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com
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