OLRC to mix arsenic with old lace
The Old Lyric Repertory Company presents the third offering of the 39th summer season with the classic theatre piece “Arsenic and Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring.
The production’s first run of the season is Thursday, July 7, through Saturday, July 9, at the Caine Lyric Theatre in historic downtown Logan. Curtain time for the production is 8 p.m. during the run, with a matinee beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday to accompany the evening performance. The Caine Lyric Box Office is open Monday through Saturday noon to 8 p.m. Ticket reservations can be made at 28 West Center Street, or by calling (435) 752-1500.
The Old Lyric Repertory Company is a program of Utah State University.
Directing the production is Utah State University alumnus Corey Ewan. Taking a break from the College of Central Utah, Ewan is enjoying “reliving the past,” as he directs in the place he studied as a student in the mid 1980s.
“The students at Utah State, the patrons at the theatre, other actors, the entire group are making this visit worth every mile from central Utah,” Ewan said. “The OLRC is made up of such a strong group of the people. I can never forget my experiences in Logan, past or present.”
Everyone in the play may be hiding something in this well-known standard of the American stage. Something’s afoot when male boarders begin to disappear from the house of the quaint, aging Brewster sisters. In keeping with a recurring theme of the OLRC season, a young romance is nearly derailed by a company of eccentric characters and a few ‘ghosts’ from the family’s past and present, including a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt. All intrude to bring the situation to rest on the bench of its own unique justice that preserves the “family secret.”
Ewan said the production’s goal is to let people have fun, nothing else.
“There are no serious messages or social aspects that you might find in other plays,” he said. “This is just something to have fun with, almost an escape from everything that may be happening in society today.”
“Arsenic and Old Lace” continues the OLRC’s season lineup with a cast of stage veterans. Bart Williams is seen in his third OLRC production in a row, doing double duty, portraying the Reverend and Dr. Harper. The Brewster sisters are played by Jackie Fullmer (Abby), whom OLRC patrons may recognize from 2004 productions “Enchanted April” and “Moon Over Buffalo,” and Jan Hines (Martha), who was on the stage in 2003’s “On Golden Pond.”
Others in the cast have also been on the Caine Lyric stage recently. Jed Broberg plays Teddy Brewster, Officer Brophy is portrayed by Richie Call, Autumn Sergeant is Officer Klein, Katie Ackerman is Elaine Harper, Mortimer Brewster is played by Kent Hadfield, Mr. Gibbs is played by Kermit Herd and Dan Merket is Jonathan Brewster.
“Everyone in the cast is phenomenal,” Ewan said. “Everyone is working extremely hard as a cohesive unit toward the same goal. The audience will have a great time with these people on stage.”
The OLRC box office operates noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Caine Lyric box office number is (435) 752-1500. Tickets are also available through the Ellen Eccles box office at (435) 752-0026, extension 14. Ticket prices range from $8 to $17. For more information on tickets, call (435) 797-1500 or visit the OLRC Web site at www.usu.edu/lyric.
The Old Lyric Repertory Company’s promotional events for the summer include “Senior Date Night,” which provides two-for-one pricing for senior citizens for the Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances. Another promotion, the “Student Rush,” gives current Utah State University students the opportunity to purchase half price tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain at every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening performance. The “OLRC Promo Jeep” will be seen around Logan as well, and offers tickets, merchandise and more.
New this season is the inaugural OLRC Benefit Gala. The “gala” includes an opportunity to meet and mingle with OLRC members, a catered dinner at Hamilton’s Steak and Seafood, a cabaret-style evening of entertainment by OLRC members and a ticket to a 2005 production. Tickets for the gala are $50. Inquiries and reservations can be made at (435) 797-1500.
Complete details for the 2005 season, including the production schedule, are available online at www.usu.edu/lyric. For a free brochure and to be added to the mailing list, call (435) 797-3046. For general or ticket inquiries, call (435) 797 -1500.
The OLRC is supported by grants and gifts from the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, the College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences at Utah State University, the Cache County Restaurant/RAPZ Tax, the Utah Arts Council and the Bridgerland Travel Council.