Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Philip's Commentary On

Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesterling

THE BREWSTERS OF BROOKLYN

Lt. Rooney (to Officer O’Hara): No wonder Brooklyn’s in the shape it’s in, with the police force full of flatheads like you – falling for that kind of a story – thirteen bodies in the cellar!

Teddy Brewster: But there are thirteen bodies in the cellar.

Rooney: Who are you?

Teddy: I’m President Roosevelt

When: Monday, June 9 & Tuesday, June 24 at 7 pm
Where: Room 9
What: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE by JOSEPH KESSELRING
Who: UUCPA Thespians
Why: To read one of the best screwball comedies of all time.

If you ever find yourself in one of those genteel neighborhoods in Brooklyn in the years just before WWII, ask anyone where the  Brewster sisters live.  The elderly Miss Abby and Miss Martha are known and loved by everyone – although the some of the neighbors do get a mite miffed when their nephew Teddy (who thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt) blows his bugle at 1 AM.  Teddy is really quite harmless, so just go up their front step and ring the doorbell.  I’m sure they’ll invite you in.  You might meet their other nephew, Mortimer who’s quite normal except for being a drama critic who hates the theatre.  He’s been visiting his aunts a lot lately, ever since he met the pretty Elaine, daughter of the minister who lives next door. And no need to worry about the third nephew Jonathon – he’s serving a life sentence at the Indiana Hospital for the Criminally Insane. 

Unless, of course, he should escape and decide to come home.

If you time your visit right, they’ll offer to serve you tea.  You’re bound to enjoy the homemade biscuits, especially with some of their homemade jam.  Truly, you ‘ll have an enjoyable afternoon.  Oh, I almost forgot.  Take my advice and pass when they offer you a glass of their homemade elderberry wine.

This play has 14 parts, but we could read it comfortably with as few as 6.  So just let me know (email thespians-info@uucpa.org or call me) which night  you prefer.  We start promptly a 7 pm.  Walk ons will be welcome.

Philip Hodge, Chair.