Can You Keep A Secret? - Arsenic and Old Lace

Everyone has secrets, but most aren’t harmful. For some, it’s a secret family recipe passed down through generations; for others, it’s a secret crush on the person they sit next to in math class. But for the Brewster family, in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” the secrets tend to go a bit overboard! Abby and Martha Brewster are sisters who make their own homemade elderberry wine. The secret is what they do with that wine when what they perceive to be “sad” or “lonely” gentlemen visit their home. Not to mention where they put the bodies! Just by looking at them, you’d never believe that these women are killing virtual strangers. In that vein, we went to the cast of “Arsenic and Old Lace” and asked them what you expect when you look at them, versus the surprises and secrets that they have!

Born-in-a-Barn Player Ken Snyder plays Mr. Gibbs, a man looking for a place to live and hoping to rent from the Brewster sisters. Ken is a lover of old classic plays (especially if they have parts for older men!), as this is his second appearance in our 50th season - his first playing Grandpa in You Can’t Take It With You. “I would hope people think I’m friendly and have a good sense of humor!” Ken says. But what they might not expect about him is that he was a computer programmer, “for thirty-five years,” he says. He’s also really big on genealogy! Ken, now that your secret is out, don’t be surprised if we start coming to you with our computer problems!

Bill Bossman is another returning actor from this season, as he was also seen in “You Can’t Take It With You” as Mr. De Pinna. Bill is a compulsive storyteller. “I just can’t stop myself from telling stories,” he says. He goes on to include, “My wife tells me I am an excellent character actor. I think she's just prejudiced, but Mr. Witherspoon gives me another opportunity to play an eccentric, fussy old man. Talk about typecasting!” However, many might be surprised to learn that Bill has an obsession with birds. “Watching them, listening to them, photographing them, talking about them - don’t get me started!” We personally can’t wait to hear Bill’s bird stories.

Playing Lt. Rooney is Thomas Gunning, returning to the Lofte stage for his second appearance - his first was in “Our Town.” Thomas is passionate about writing and raptors (no, not the dinosaurs!). He loves writing personal essays and blog posts. But he also loves caring for birds of prey as a member of the Raptor Woodland Refuge team at Fontenelle Forest. However, it may surprise you to learn that, while he enjoys writing essays and blog posts, he writes most of his work for a website called 30secondread.com, where he has a weekly column. And yes, the website is what it sounds like: short articles that you can read in 30 seconds (or less!). And, while he has a passion for birds, he also loves cats. “I adopt senior cats, usually black or tuxedo ones, caring for them throughout their time with me.” But it’s no surprise to learn that Thomas loves the Lofte, and has loved working on this show. Thomas says, “Arsenic and Old Lace is a chestnut in the best sense. Despite its familiarity, it remains among the best dark comedies in American theatre.

We are excited to welcome back Victoria K. Lininger, who last appeared on the Lofte stage in Rumors. Victoria has many passions: “I’m a voice actor and streamer,” she says. “My passion project is Voice Over Victoria’s Readers’ Theatre. Every other month, I invite Twitch streamers to read a famous play live to raise money for charity. We read Arsenic and Old Lace in May, and it was our most successful stream to date, raising $840 for Center for Addiction Treatment. It’s exciting to now perform the show onstage with this amazing cast with that experience fresh in my mind!” Twitch is a live streaming platform where people play video games for others to watch, create crafts, or do just about anything fun and entertaining. People also use it to raise funds for charity, as Victoria said. But despite having a public persona, Victoria has her ‘secrets’ too! “From Kindergarten to second grade, I attended a German Magnet School, where all the classes were taught by teachers from Germany and all taught in German (except for English, of course)!” We’ll definitely be going to Victoria the next time we need German translated!

Neal Herring has become a fairly common face on the Lofte stage, and we are thrilled to welcome him back in this show as the murderous nephew, Jonathan Brewster. Typically, Neal is cast as the “good guy” or the “over-the-top” silly man, so this is quite a change for him. Despite his casting, Neal considers himself a bit of a comedian. “I enjoy making people laugh. It does not matter to me if I achieve this through verbal comedy or through physical farcical situations. Making people laugh is a joy!” In addition to that, Neal is a grandfather, which is another way he finds joy. “The priceless moments are unbelievable. I am so blessed!” In the chaos of comedy and grandchildren, Neal has yet another chaotic secret. He says, “ I am unable to memorize lines for plays in a relaxed state or environment. I’ll travel on foot over 20,000 steps a day, over half of those steps focused on memorizing lines.” Talk about getting your steps in! We’re willing to bet all of that only helps his performance, since plays are rarely fully stress-free.

The biggest secrets are still yet to come, and in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” all of them are hidden below the surface of polite society. No one is fully innocent, so as you watch the show, consider what may be hidden just under the surface of each character. You may be surprised by what you find there! Get tickets at lofte.org or call 402-234-2553. Performances are on October 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, & 25. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and at 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand opens 1 hour before the show, and the house opens for seating then, too.