Coronado Playhouse invites audiences to experience Joseph Kesselring’s classic, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a fast-paced dark comedy with exaggerated characters, improbable situations, mistaken identities and rapidly escalating chaos.
When critic Mortimer Brewster stops by his elderly aunts’ Brooklyn home to share news of his recent engagement, he discovers a shocking family secret. His seemingly charming and charitable aunts have been quietly poisoning lonely old men as an act of mercy.
Filled with witty dialogue, eccentric personalities and nonstop surprises, the production “explores the contrast between reality and appearances through its blend of comedy and crime,” according to director Kira Blaskovich.
“This play also has a wealth of comedy — both physical and situational,” said Blaskovich. “If we’ve developed a good process and thoroughly explored the play and its character’s psychology, the product should reveal a compelling story — hopefully with some new insight.”
“Arsenic and Old Lace” is scheduled at Coronado Playhouse from Aug. 14 to Sept. 6, and will run on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available at CoronadoPlayhouse.org.
