A taste of family secrets and slapstick murder in “Arsenic & Old Lace”

“Arsenic and Old Lacehas something for everyone,” said Janette Dennis, the Director of The Theatre Company’s Summer Presentation. “It’s a mystery, comedy, tragedy, historical fiction, romance, drama and farce with a brilliant script.”

Arsenic and Old Lace is a play written in 1939 by American playwright Joseph Kesselring. The hero, Mortimer Brewster, played by Bob Geiss,must deal with his crazy family. His family includes two spinster aunts played by EileenSolsberger and Janet Graf, abrother who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt, played by Jim Rice, and another brother who has received plastic surgery, played by Dick Storer.

Dennis is a fairly new resident of Sun City, nearly 3 years in the community. However, she does have previous experience as a performance director.

“It is my third year with Vintage Voice as a director.  Previously, I have directed one-act plays in classes and theatres and I have a lot of acting experience,” she said.

According to Dennis, “Arsenic” has “Fourteen actors, three women and eleven men, ranging from neophyte to veteran and many of our best technical people are involved with fresh ideas in costumes and set design.”

Kevin Fenner, the Assistant Director and Producer of the play, is in his fourth year participating in the summer production.   Fenner adds, “Our Charter Club allows us to audition for parts in our production. We have around 140 members The Theatre Company.”

Fenner’s background is rich in experience.

“I have been in theatre my whole life. I started in children’s theatre. I have been in 16 shows in the last 20 years, all around the Chicago area. Wheaton, Naperville, Warrenville, Batavia, and here in Sun City,” he said.

Fenner’s passion for the theatre is apparent.

“I just love it. When you are on the stage, there is nothing else much like it. I never participated in sports, but I imagine the feeling is much the same stepping on the field, or courts in the last 10 seconds before you go on stage. It’s an incredible feeling.”

“This is my first shot at directing,” Fenner said. “It’s kind of fun. I can help the newer actors with lines. It will be fun to see how it goes. We are all on board getting ready for July.”

Fenner added, “It turns out this is not the first time that Jannette and I have worked together. We were both jurors in the play ‘Inherit the Wind’ in 2000. It’s a small world.”

What are some of the challenges the actors in “Arsenic” have had to face?

“One of challenges is that some of the actors have big roles with a number of lines that have to be memorized and that can be overwhelming,” said Fenner.

But he also explained that the challenges are met by an entire community of help.

“This play is a community effort,” Fenner explained. “The Woodchucks build our sets. And they are built to last. The Sew n Sew Club helps us with our costumes. My wife is a very talented graphics artist and has designed the playbill.”

Dennis added, “The setting is simple. Most of it takes place in the parlor.”

Dennis and the cast are eager to tell their story.

“We are honored to bring this classic to our stage,” Dennis said.

Arsenic and Old Lace will be presented on Sun City’s Stage on July 18-20 at 7 p.m. in Drendel Hall. Tickets are $12 (cash or check only) will be on sale on Tuesdays, June 26, July 3, and July 10 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Fountain View Atrium.

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