Kirk Players Present ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’
The Kirk Players have announced performances of the final show of their 58th season, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” by Joseph Kesselring. This is a classic play with a mix of humor, suspense and unforgettable characters, which promises an entertaining evening.
According to actor Randy Rice, playing Dr. Einstein, even if audience members have seen this show before, this production, “Adds little twists and turns, which are personal directorial choices — a bit different from what people are likely used to seeing.”
“It is always fun to see what different actors will do with a character,” assistant stage manager Marilee C.C. Rusiniak said. “How one actor may portray a familiar character may be very different than how you’ve seen that character portrayed before.”
Stage manager Makenna Wald said that the show has “some funny moments and some serious moments and the cast does a great job of bringing those contrasts to life.”
The story centers on the eccentric Brewster family, headed by two sisters, Abby and Martha, who are known for their kindness. However, in this show, public perception and private reality are, more often than not, different.
“For those people who only know the movie version, they are in for a surprise,” director Jon Leslie Lynn said.
“It has a different ending than the movie,” assistant director Randy Margison said.
Other Brewster family members include Mortimer, a theater critic who is engaged to Elaine, the girl next door; Jonathan, a wanted criminal on the run with his evil sidekick Dr. Einstein; and Teddy, who thinks he is Theodore Roosevelt and is digging the Panama Canal in the basement of the house.
Actor Jon Matousek, portraying Jonathan Brewster, summarized it by saying, “It is absolutely out of bounds. Hilarious. Full of insane characters and the kind of laughs that we are all seeking these days.”
The cast includes Betty Slack, Kevin Connerty, Nat Brautigam, Patrick Blake, Barb Selvaggio, Gretchen Grassl, Natalie La Voie, Luke Rush, Chris Brouton, Jon Matousek, Randy Rice, Tom Gorham, Mike Lieberman, Peter Grassl, Marilee C.C. Rusiniak and Terry O’Brien. The Management Team includes director Jon Leslie Lynn, assistant director Randy Margison, stage manager Makenna Wald and assistant stage manager Marilee C.C. Rusiniak. The technical team includes Peter Grassl, Brenda Sparks, Lisa Soare, Fran Hansen, Vicki Herrick, Abbey McFarland, Henry Hogan, Mindi Billock, Martin Hill, James Torbeck, Monica Stark-Brautigam, Susie Hill, Rebby Van Sickel, Jacob Agashe and Amy Sharer.
The Kirk Players are celebrating this popular classic by offering two ticket promotions. The first is a Senior Special for the Sunday, June 16, matinee performance: purchase one senior ticket and get a second one free. The second is the Brewster Family Special: purchase five adult tickets for any performance and get the sixth one free.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, June 14, 15, 21 and 22; and at 2 p.m. on Sundays, June 16 and 23. All performances will be held at Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein.
Tickets may be purchased through the Kirk Players website, kirkplayers.org, or by calling (847) 521-6192. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students and children.
Founded in 1966, the Kirk Players is a not-for-profit corporation of volunteers with the purpose of providing service to the community through the arts. Revenue from productions is invested back into the community to support the arts and art programs. While based in Mundelein, the Kirk Players work throughout Lake County.