After the delays caused by the auditorium’s renovation, OakTechRep is back with another production. This year’s first production was the 1941 classic “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Written by Joseph Kesselring and first debuting at the late Fulton Theatre on Broadway, this dark comedy tells the story of the Brewster family. The family has its fair share of quirks, and the play follows the chaotic family dynamics as dark secrets are uncovered in the Brewsters’ very own home.
Oak Tech Rep’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace features a double cast, not only giving the audience an excuse to see the play twice but also providing two fresh, unique takes on the performance.
The story is delightfully chaotic. The acclaimed theater critic Mortimer Brewster comes home to discover his sweet elderly aunts have been poisoning lonely old men as a bizarre form of charity. His brother Teddy adamantly believes he is Theodore Roosevelt, while his runaway brother Jonathan returns with his “surgeon” of a sidekick, Dr. Einstein. Chaos ensues, and frazzled Mortimer attempts to stay in control.
Cast A’s Elza Rabinowitz and Cast B’s Pricila Pham as Teddy Brewster were a major highlight. Their comedic timing was impeccable, and almost every appearance, line, and physical bit landed with near perfection. You could hear the crowd laughing at every Roosevelt reference, over-the-top declaration, and presidential decree. Simply put, the role was funny and well-executed.
The final major standout was the character of Dr. Einstein. Although the character was just Jonathan Brewster’s sidekick, their bits and gags were truly well performed. Both Lathel Douglas in Cast A and Dylan Granger in Cast B perfectly executed Einstein’s German accent. When Dr. Einstein desperately tried to stop Jonathan’s murderous intentions or helped Jonathan with them, the emotions were conveyed extremely well.
The set design brought the entire play to life. The color chosen for the walls was well-balanced and added to the show’s realism. The detailing gave the house the warm, comforting feel of an old person’s home, making it feel truly immersive and period-accurate. The layout was well constructed, and the window seat, staircases, and cellar door all worked naturally with the play’s action. The set could even have been seen as on-par with the Orpheum in San Francisco.
The set was not the only theater element that showed through during the performance. The sound, makeup, costumes, props, and lighting teams made the show unforgettable on stage, while the ushers built excitement before the curtains even opened. From the sound team’s fantastic effects bringing Teddy’s bugle to life to the lighting that showed that love really was in the air when Mortimer proposed to Elaine, these departments made the play appeal to many different senses. The makeup and props departments ensured the actors on stage looked their best and had everything they needed for each and every scene. It was the hard work of the heroes offstage that made the on-stage magic possible.Overall, this return to the stage was well executed. With great comedic performances and top-tier set design, Arsenic and Old Lace proved to be an amazing first show in the newly renovated auditorium.