ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Opens Season at Hackmatack Playhouse Tonight

"Arsenic and Old Lace" was one of the longest running Broadway plays. The movie adaptation starred Cary Grant. It was written in 1939 by American playwright Joseph Kesselring. But it's more recent history of revivals locally, in the quaint Berwick, Maine barn playhouse known as The Hackmatack, may spark interest among seacoast area play goers.

This is the third production of "Arsenic" at The Hackmatack. Carol Davenport and Tinka Darling Finley were both in the 1992 version and return to recreate the roles of the Aunts this summer. Right, 22 years later!

Another trivia tidbit, Jerry Hansen played a dead body in the 1980 "Arsenic and Old Lace" at The Hackmatack, and is back this year in a "live" role. 35 years later!!

Arsenic and Old Lace is a comedy about the crazy Brewster family. Drama critic Mortimer Brewster must deal with his homicidal aunts, a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, an uncle who is a Boris Karloff look-a-like and the Brooklyn police as he questions his promise to marry the woman he loves. It opens Friday, June 20 at Hackmatack Playhouse, School Street (Route 9) in Berwick.

Show times are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00, with a Thursday matinee at 2:00.

In addition to "Arsenic and Old Lace" running tonight, June 20 through July 5, the 2014 scheduleat Hackmatack Playhouse also includes "The Music Man," Wednesday, July 9 through Saturday,July 26; Monty Python's "Spamalot," Wednesday, July 30 through Saturday, August 16; and "The Trip to Bountiful," Wednesday, August 20 through Saturday, August 30.

Hackmatack Playhouse (Route 9, Berwick, Maine) continues a tradition of affordable ticket prices with student, senior, and group discounts. Tickets and 2014 Hackmatack Playhouse 'Flex-Passes" are now on sale even prior to auditions. Individual ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, Thursday senior special of $20, and $10 for students under age 20. A "Flex-Pass" is a ticket good for 4 admissions to any Hackmatack show during the season. Flex-passes are $90 for adults, $80 for seniors, and $75 for seniors for Thursdays. Tickets are available on-line at www.Hackmatack.org or by phone, 207-698-1807.

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