Comedy closes PCPH season

Teddy Brewster (Michael McClaine), standing, has tea with his aunts Abby, left, and Martha Brewster (played by Lita Sandy and Shelly McFadden) in the Putnam County Playhouse production of "Arsenic and Old Lace, which premiers at 8 p.m. Thursday.

GREENCASTLE -- The 48th season of Putnam County Playhouse closes with a production of Joseph Kesselring's classic comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace."

It will be presented at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle on Sept. 3-5 and 9-12. All performances are at 8 p.m., and all tickets are $9. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 653-5880 after 5 p.m.

Box office hours are daily 5 p.m. to 7 p.m Monday through Saturday.

Corporate sponsor for the show is Old National Bank.

"Arsenic and Old Lace" was last produced at PCPH in 1986. This time around, director Brad Sandy directs a large cast that includes Matt McClaine as Mortimer Brewster, a New York City drama critic; Lita Sandy and Shelly McFadden as his aunts Abby and Martha who have a lethal hobby; Michael McClaine as Teddy Brewster who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt; Jack Randall Earles as Jonathan Brewster, an escapee from madhouse; and Ric McFadden as Jonathan's comrade in crime, Dr. Einstein.

Appearing in supporting roles are Lori Briones as Mortimer's fiancee Elaine; Jim Green as her father, a local minister; Clarence Long as a potential murder victim; and Jim Rambo as the head of the local sanitarium. Appearing as members of the local police force are Bryan Schroeder, Sandi Rossok, Doug Gannaway, and Brennan Barnes.

Jonathan Brewster (Jack Randall Earles) and Dr. Einstein (Rick McFadden) plot their "big operation" to dispose of Jonathan's brother in the Putnam County Playhouse production of "Arsenic and Old Lace," which opens Thursday.

When Mortimer finds out that his sweet aunts have been poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the cellar, he tries to convince them that this behavior is unacceptable, even in 1940s Brooklyn. Trying to maintain his sanity among his brothers and a meddling fiance while still holding onto his newspaper job keeps Mortimer hopping from one wild situation to another.

The set was designed by the director.

Shroeder is technical director and designed the lighting. Production stage manager is Sarah Dory. Assisting in the running of the technical equipment are Tiarra Phillips, Sarah McClaine, Brenda McClaine, and David and Carrie Howe.