Published: February 09, 2008 11:10 pm            

Find plenty of laughs in T&G play

The cast of “Arsenic and Old Lace” at Town and Gown Theatre provided plenty of laugh-out-loud moments on opening night Thursday.

After taking a few minutes to settle into things, the cast kept the pace going, an important part of this black comedy, where the laughs depend not just on the things people say, but also on what they do and who sees and doesn’t see it.

Shane O’Mealey was excellent as the theater-hating drama critic Mortimer Brewster. He kept a light touch on the material, reacting with just the right amount of alarm and horror, without chewing on the scenery.

Kyle Shifflett as Mortimer’s brother Teddy, who believes throughout the play that he is President Theodore Roosevelt, also gave a bully performance. Diane Keenom and Cindy Sheets provided the right fluffy tone as Mortimer’s aunts, who have an unusual hobby — poisoning elderly men.

As Jonathan Brewster, another brother, Kevin Gerfen was appropriately sinister. The make-up crew also did an excellent job giving him a resemblance to Karloff’s Frankenstein monster.

They should remember, however, when making up Jonathan’s associate Dr. Einstein, that exposed ears need make-up also. Kevin Worley tackles the role — and the German accent — so well, though, that the audience is likely to overlook the nitpick, one of the few to be found.

The set, which must have been a daunting task, includes several working doors, a window, a window seat, stairs and period furniture. Director Paul Weber, who designed the set, did an excellent job, as did his crew — which appears to be almost everyone who had any role on-stage or backstage.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” is definitely worth the time. It continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee today and Feb. 17. Tickets, $10 for adults and $8 for students, are available at 372-9122.

        

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