School of the Holy Child is bringing the classic comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” to the stage Friday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 10 with free showings at 7:30 p.m.
The play tells the story of Mortimer Brewster (Hunter Brady ’13), a drama critic living in Brooklyn with his elderly aunts, Abby (Augusta “Gus” Pendergast ’14) and Martha (Ann Marie “Annie” Devine ’14). After proposing to his sweetheart, Elaine (Carolyn Caruso ’13), Mortimer’s life starts to unravel when he learns his beloved aunts are murdering lonely old men by offering them elderberry wine laced with arsenic. The rest of his family is pretty mad, too: Brother Teddy (Asha Perry ’14) spends his time digging up the basement of the family home—an excellent place to stash the bodies—and brother Jonathan (Shristhi Avasthi ’14) has undergone plastic surgery to alter his appearance in hopes of evading arrest.
“This is my favorite production thus far at Holy Child," says Annie Devine '14, who admits it’s been a challenge to keep a straight face through the comedic scenes. Hunter Brady ’13 agrees. “This production, like others I’ve been a part of, is amazing,” she says. “Every day, I walk out of rehearsal with more knowledge in regards to theatre and performance."
Balancing the topic of murder with a comedic delivery is something students worked hard to accomplish, says the show’s Director Kim Calhoun. “Our ensemble cast is fully committed to the physical comedy, pace and excitement of the piece,” she says. “I could not be happier with the results. It is a hilarious play, with a fabulous cast, and quite simply a great deal of fun for the entire family."
Rounding out the cast are Kit Devine ’16 as Officer O'Hara; Maria Dombrov ’13 as Dr. Einstein; Tess Flanagan ’14 as Officer Brophy; Lindsey Houlihan ’16 as Mr. Witherspoon; Alexandra “Lexie” Jordan ’16 as Mr. Gibbs; Caitlin Panarella ’16 as Dr. Harper; Olivia Rogliano ’16 as Officer Klein; and Bridget Smith ’16 as Lieutenant Rooney.
