Mayhem mystery: Community theatre presents classic comedy

By Mary Owen

Aumsville Community Theatre’s next production blends thrills with comedy just in time for Halloween.

The classic comedy-thriller, Arsenic and Old Lace, offers a sinister yet humorous look at the lives of two old but sweet spinster sisters, Abby and Martha, who believe they are doing the world a favor by ending the miserable and lonely lives of their would-be boarders, according to Bryan Casey, who plays their nephew, Teddy.

“You will develop feelings of sympathy, concern, shock, dislike, affection, and on and on … and you will fall in love with the two old women,” said Casey, who, as Teddy, believes himself to be Theodore Roosevelt, helping to lay to rest yet another yellow fever victim.

“You will be immersed and embraced by one of the most ridiculously farcical plays, both hilarious and macabre, which presents a set of characters which, on their own, are almost wholly unbelievable,” Casey added. “But collectively, they fit together as the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, becoming one to grace you with a most beautiful image that exceeds anything you might have expected.”

The play takes place at 7 p.m.  with 2 p.m. matinees on Oct. 21 and 28 at the Macleay Grange, 8312 Macleay Road, Salem. Tickets are: adults $12, children $6 and seniors (60 and older) $10.

“As the director of this production, I’m super excited about the mix of veteran actors and new-to-us actors,” said Shannon Rempel, also founder of the theater company.

Darlene Delaney, who plays Aunt Martha, believes the directors outdid themselves in casting the play.

“Personally, I think ‘Mortimer’ is going to steal the show – he’s a young Cary Grant,” Delaney said. “This is such a fun group of people.”

Delaney added, “Arsenic and Old Lace is another classic play, originally filmed in black and white, that is a blast to bring to life!”

To Renate Medley, who plays Aunt Abby, one of the strongest attractions to ACT is that no experience is necessary to participate.

“And the focus is on fun,” Medley said. “ACT is a great place to try acting while interacting with friendly people in a no-pressure, no-threat environment.”

Medley calls the play “hysterically funny with an edge of murder and mayhem.

Medley assures playgoers that Teddy’s dear aunties are sincere and dedicated to their “charities,” and that the play has a way of working it all out in the end.

ACT’s next production will be Bus Stop by William Inge and directed by Kevin Crawford and Neil Vannice. Auditions are  Nov. 17-18, 3 to 5 p.m. The show will run Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3.

“ACT would love to welcome new people into our family,” Rempel said. “We are always in need of crew and actors. We especially need people with building skills and time to be a part of our set crew for future shows.”

Rempel said ACT also relies on community support to help the organization grow. Vendors are also welcome to participate, and should call three weeks prior to the opening of a show, she added.

To help or for more information, call ACT at 503-301-0936.