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Scenes from Arsenic and Old Lace, above, and below
Elderly women, lonely old men and poison. Combine those ingredients to make a well-loved black comedy: Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesselring. Join York’s Vanier College Productions (VCP) for an evening of screwball theatre that has everything: murder, romance, horror and humour.
Directed by York alumna Theresa Noon (BFA '03), VCP opened its 2003-2004 season with the play yesterday. It runs Nov. 13-15 and 19-22 at 8pm, and Nov. 16 at 2pm, in the Vanier Studio Theatre, 258 Vanier College. Tickets are $10 and $12. For reservations, call ext. 40023.
About the play
The setting is in New York in the 1930s. The two elderly Brewster sisters are the kindest and most generous ladies in Brooklyn, so it comes as quite a shock to their nephew Mortimer to learn that they are experienced murderers, poisoning lonely old men with arsenic-laced wine.
The cast features York student Stephanie Jeronimo as Martha, and includes other York students, Glyn Bowerman, Desmond Devoy, Emrys Davis, Guy Doucette, Allison Dwyer, John Grogan, Stephanie Hill, Adrian Jewett, Paul Marshall, Corbin Murdoch, Jesse Paikin and Michael Young.
Most of the production team is staffed by students and other members of the York community, except for co-producers John Beers and Tyler Schwartz (BFA Hons. '99), who are VCP alumni.
Senior production staff include: stage manager, Pam Joshi (student); production manager, Mariana Salazar (student); artistic director, Fred Thury; and executive producer, Nancy Accinelli.
York’s VCP grew out of a need felt by student performers, actors, singers, dancers, designers, playwrights and directors who aren't necessarily studying in the theatre/music/dance/art design/creative writing programs, but wish to make a connection with theatre. All York students are welcome to audition for the company, and are occasionally joined in productions by VCP alumni, friends, professionals and the wider community of Toronto.
For more information about Vanier College Productions, see this story in The Gazette archive.