Quirky old ladies—beware their offerings of elderberry wine!

All reviews are written by Cappies student critics and edited by Cappies adult mentors prior to publishing.

Julian Sanchez , a student at Westfield High School , reviews “Arsenic and Old Lace” performed by Annandale High School as part of The Cappies Critics and Awards Program .

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With just a pull of the curtain, the stage of Annandale High School was transformed into a quaint, Brooklyn apartment filled with knickknacks and trinkets. There’s just one problem with this seemingly innocuous abode: open the window seat and you’ll find a dead body. This and many other oddities lie in Annandale’s riotous production of “Arsenic and Old Lace”.

This twisted, familial comedy, written by playwright Joseph Kesselring, opened on Broadway in 1941 to critical acclaim. The play ran for a successful three year stint, and was later adapted into an award-winning film starring Cary Grant in 1944. This hilarious farce, set in 1940’s Brooklyn, chronicles a day in the hectic life of theatre critic Mortimer Brewster (Max Talley). His wacky family includes a deranged brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, two maniacal aunts who spend their retirement poisoning old men with homemade elderberry wine, and an ominous brother who’s come back to the family household with new motives--and a new face. Mortimer is thrown into sticky situations and slowly loses his mind as more and more hidden-truths are finally revealed to him.

Annandale’s talented set of actors skillfully portrayed the show’s insane cast of characters with verve and alacrity. This versatile group of students kept consistent accents and used great physicality to add authenticity to their absurd roles. Each member of the 14-person cast accurately grasped his or her character’s innate peculiarity which contributed to the strong, genuine hint of loonyness to the play.

Anchoring this uproarious show was Laura Hackfeld, who played the outwardly congenial yet sadistic Aunt Abby Brewster. Hackfeld’s characterization, equal parts hysterical and delirious, allowed the audience to delve through her innocent, aging exterior and view her true, inner craziness. Hackfeld’s vivaciousness and smart acting choices never ceased to cause boisterous laughter from the audience.

Complimenting Hackfeld’s acting perfectly was Gwen Levey, who played the eccentric Aunt Martha Brewster. Hackfeld and Levey were an entertaining pair, who portrayed the emotionally unstable duo with tremendous skill. Their playful chemistry was matched by their remarkable expressiveness, and their gifted performances will not be forgotten.

In addition, there was a comical array of supporting players who enhanced the overall outcome of the humorous production. Noteworthy performers include Andy Riddle, who played the personality-confused Teddy Brewster, and Steve Aderton, as the mysterious, alcoholic surgeon named Dr. Einstein. Both actors were excellent auxiliaries to the leads, and their unique portrayals were delightful components of the show. 

One of the most impressive features of the production was the beautifully detailed set, designed by Jamie Gallo, Jin Lin, Chaun Shen, and Sam Dores. The large, Victorian-style apartment, wackily decorated and topped with clashing wallpaper, further exemplified the madness of the characters and set the off-key mood for the evening. Although some technical elements weren’t period-appropriate, inventive hair and make-up choices (Betsy Cohan-Lawson) intensified the quirky look of the show.

Annandale High School truly succeeded in putting on a stellar, albeit murderous, production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” that left you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next surprise. Perhaps the greatest lesson of all: Think twice before drinking your next glass of wine. It may just be your last.