Arsenic and Old Lace

Directed by Paul Adam

Produced by Gregory Bonin
Stage Manager - Josh Smith
Assisted by - Melissa Chenail
Set Design - Paul Adam
Set Construction - Mark Anderson
Assisted by: Paul Adam, Gregory Bonin, Maurice Cournoyer, Christopher Cournoyer,
Christopher Kibbe, Ian Kibbe, Bert Cayer, Jr. Brian Lemieux, Connie Anderson, Josh Smith
Costumes - Sharon Charette
Lighting Design -Paul Adam, Mark Anderson
Lighting Operation - Matt Simpson, Mary Concannon
Publicity -Paul Adam
House Manager - CeCe Cardoza, Sharon Charette

The Cast

(in order of appearance)

Abby Brewster - Connie Anderson
Dr. Harper - Bert Cayer, Jr.
Teddy Brewster - Mark Anderson
Mr. Brophy - Matt King
Mr. Klein -Ian Kibbe
Martha Brewster - Lisa Forsgard
Elaine Harper - Rebekah Blanchette
Mortimer - Brian Lemieux
Mr. Gibbs -Andrew leclerc
Jonathan Brewster - Gregory Bonin
Dr. Einstein - Christopher Kibbe
Officer O'Hara - Maurice Cournoyer
Lt. Rooney - Bert Cayer, Jr.
Mr. Witherspoon -Andrew Leclerc

Reviewed by Don Gillis, September 13, 2002

Paul Adam explains in his director's note in the program that "Arsenic and Old Lace has always been a favorite of his because he enjoys the many characters that grace the stage during the show." I also have a special liking to this humorous play by Joseph Kesserling. It has been around for years and never gets boring. It is special when you see many of your fellow actors and actresses in different roles.

Connie Anderson, who is a favorite of mine, shares the leading female role with Lisa Forsgard. Connie portrays Abby with an aggressive style that is refreshing. Her talented style and manner gives Abby a unique character. The way she walks is reminiscent of an elderly walk, and her facial expressions throughout are very believable, especially when confronted by her sinister nephew Jonathan.
Connie's line delivery was first rate. Her character is pivotal and she portrays it beautifully!

Lisa Forsgard is right on the same level as Connie with her gentle portrayal of the somewhat gentler sister. She has a nice stage presence and with Connie they bounced back and forth off each other beautifully giving outstanding believable performances as the famous Brewster sisters.

Mark Anderson portrays Teddy who believes and acts like he is Teddy Roosevelt, President of the US. Mark has some great lines in this show, and if you ever have seen Mark perform before you know that he is about to entertain you with an excellent portrayal of the insane Teddy Brewster. The scenes when he travels up the stairs yelling "CHARGE" are vastly amusing, and he does it quite frequently in the show so you get to chuckle numerous times. His quick wit actions, along with his delivery of the most ridiculous off the walls remarks are excellent. The scenes that he appears in are crowd pleasers.

Brian Lemieux, as Mortimer, has the dubious task of attempting to cover up for his aunt's actions when they poison elderly religious men who come to their home with Elderberry wine and dump them in the cellar with Teddy stating that they died of yellow fever. Brian's portrayal was excellent as he has many stage movements and confrontations which he handles with ease. His scenes with his bride to be is hilarious and the scenes with the sinister brother Jonathan are excellently portrayed. The timing was crucial for Brian in this show, as he has many exits and entrances that have to be right on time. Brian did an excellent job.

Jonathan Brewster, the sinister gangster of this crazy family, was so aptly portrayed by the talented Gregory Bonin. I have not seen Gregory in a thug role, so for me, I was watching him for the first time. His portrait of the thug of the family was excellent. Gregory stays in character throughout this performance and displays his talents as the tough, sinister, uncaring brother. I am so used to seeing him in a musical so it was interesting to see him in a different role. He did not disappoint me. A top rate and superior performance by a talented actor.

Christopher Kibbe is fun to watch as Dr. Einstein who is going to operate on Jonathan's face in the morning - which never comes to pass. His stage time with Jonathan was lengthy and he does an excellent portrayal of the nervous doctor who needs a drink before performing surgery. His antics with the bodies that are in the window seat and his reactions to Jonathan's wishes are believably portrayed.

Bert Cayer, Jr. portrays two roles, the Rev. Dr. Harper at the beginning of the show, and the tough Lt. Rooney at the show's end. His portrayals are both excellent and he has some great stage time. I especially liked his portrayal as the tough police Lieutenant.

Maurice Cournoyer is a crowd pleaser. He is a police officer (Officer O'Hara), but wants to be a playwright and in one scene puts everyone on stage to sleep with his long dissertation of a play he has written. It's a humorous scene and Moe goes at it with gusto, pleasing the audience with his wit and actions.

Rebekah Blanchette plays Elaine who is supposed to be marrying Mortimer. She gives us just the right amount of confusing statements about what is going on around her, and she lights up the stage when she and Brian are talking about their relationship (or lack of it). Rebekah does a neat job as the confused fianceée.

Supporting cast members, Matt King, Ian Kibbe, and Andrew Leclerc give this production the final finishes to a well polished production by director Paul Adam.

One thing you will notice as you enter the auditorium is the set. It has Fred and Alice Reinhardt's antiques. They are beautiful and add so much to this show. The set design is beautiful and the costumes and lighting are commendable – it's a show well worth your while. So, take a ride to Theater Works for a fine production of Arsenic and Old Lace.

THEATRE WORKS Arsenic and Old Lace (September 7 - 21, 2002) 78 Earle Street Woonsocket, RI (401) 766-1898 (Option 1)