‘ARSENIC AND OLD LACE’

And you thought your family was crazy!

Just wait until you see the madcap comedy that Back Alley Productions opens Friday, Feb. 21, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” based on the famous Frank Capra film of the 1940s.

The dark comedy focuses on the eccentric Brewster family. Mortimer Brewster, who has long protested the concept of marriage, now faces introducing his crazy family to the woman he loves, Elaine Harper, as he debates whether to commit fully, or be committed from the lunacy around him.

Elaine is open-minded, but there’s a problem — well, actually a few problems. Mortimer isn’t sure how to explain his two spinster aunts, who have taken it upon themselves to start murdering lonely old men by poisoning them … or a brother who believes he is President Theodore Roosevelt … or another brother who happens to be a serial killer and received some bad plastic surgery to conceal his identity.

With all these characters under one roof — as well as an alcoholic and demented plastic surgeon named Dr. Hermann Einstein — things are going from odd to downright lunacy. Will it drive Mortimer and Elaine apart?

“We’re so excited to bring this story to life,” says Krystal Dawson, director of the show.

“The cast has brought a very kinetic energy to this production. There’s so much humor happening that it’s almost worth seeing twice, because you’re bound to miss some of the details in the chaos. And those details are some of the funniest moments.”

“Arsenic and Old Lace” stars Sara Miller, Elizabeth Angwin, William Smith, Rachel Goldsmith, Lucas Duvall, Bobby Daniels, Joshua Smith, Ayda Fisher, Alison Gilbreath, Megan Allen, Sara Rose DeBord and Alexander DeBord.

For more information: 706-621-2870.

Charge! William Smith plays Teddy Brewster, who is delusional and is convinced that he’s actually President Theodore Roosevelt fighting in the Spanish-American War.

BACK ALLEY CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS From left are Rachel Goldsmith as Elaine, Bobby Daniels as Jonathan, Joshua Smith as Dr. Einstein and Luke Duvall as Mortimer.