SSP to Open 35th Season with ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

The Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) open their 35th season with the farcical black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. Performances take place October 23-November 15 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey (enter on Marshfield), Chicago.

In this beloved comedy, two Victorian sisters are known throughout Brooklyn for their virtues, eccentricities and charitable acts. What their neighbors don't know is the sweet ladies are knocking off lonely old men with homemade elderberry wine splashed with arsenic. When the sisters' nephew Mortimer comes home for a visit, his aunts' misdeeds and the schemes of his two insane brothers are uncovered. Adding to the chaos are a failed plastic surgeon and several cops making frequent, unexpected visits. Murder seems to be the family's M.O., and the harassed Mortimer may drive himself crazy scrambling to cover up the crimes and keep everyone from serving time.

Directing Arsenic and Old Lace is SSP company member Steven Walanka, whose past SSP directing credits include The Sisters Rosensweig, Steel Magnolias, Tribute, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. The cast features SSP company members Kate O'Connor and Nancy Pollock as the sweet but deadly Brewster sisters, Anthony Fiorelli as their nephew Mortimer, Gary Grenholm, Ed McGuire and Cortney West, along with Julian Coletta, Christopher Graul, George Manisko, Scott Minches, Karissa Myers and Jon Rooney. SSP company members on the production team include Emil Zbella as set designer, Paula Kenar as costume designer, Brittany Eude as stage manager, Marshall Jacobson as assistant director, and Jim Masini as producer. Also on staff are Emma Deane as lighting designer and Brandon Reed as sound designer.

SSP began producing theatre in 1982 at its original home, the St. Sebastian parish, located at the corner of Halsted Street and Wellington Avenue on Chicago's North Side. When the parish closed, SSP relocated to its current home, St. Bonaventure, at 1625 W. Diversey. During its history, the company has produced original and previously produced dramas, comedies and musicals; original audience-participation mysteries for special events; and the Monologue Matchup Competition, as well as provided support for smaller Sebastian Studio Projects produced by company members. For a complete production history, visit saintsebastianplayers.org/Production_History_DULA.html

Performances of Arsenic and Old Lace take place October 23-November 15, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, at Marshfield just west of Ashland, in Chicago. Free parking is available in two lots. Subscription packages for the three-play season are $40, $25 for seniors. Full-priced single tickets are $20, $15 for students with valid IDs and $10 for seniors. Group rates also are available.
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