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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Friday Ashland publisher offers prize for environmental book Orthodox Church raising funds to build new home 10 things to know for Thursday What does Uncle Foods weekly dinner mean to you? 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Editor's Notes: This, that and the other Mochas, Midrash and Mysteries: Balancing the gift and the task Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest Movie listings: May 8-14 Dancing People Company presents 'Salon Series' 5 picks for live entertainment Prepare for lots of dialogue in 'Clouds of Sils Maria' Theater Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ticket Availability 'Arsenic and Old Lace' has killer charm Some OSF crew members seek to unionize Music The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Interview: Country singer Suzy Bogguss enjoying life on the road The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Visual Art Movies Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Tom Hardy adapts to life as Mad Max Movie listings: May 8-14 Prepare for lots of dialogue in 'Clouds of Sils Maria' Food and Drink Taqueria Picaro takes over Tabu space Owner of Mix and Amuse to bring Flip burger joint to Ashland Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Looking Up: Once in a while a star blows up Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day Orthodox Church raising funds to build new home Antionette Kerr: Mother’s Day founder challenged commercialism Breathe easier with whole-house air purification Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Mocha Musings Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Forest work is a bargain ... Ashland publisher offers prize for environmental book ... Ashland Calendar, Friday, May 8 ... Our View: Forest work is a bargain ... Ashland publisher offers prize for environmental book ... Ashland Calendar, Friday, May 8 ... CAMELOT THEATRE 'Arsenic and Old Lace' has killer charm By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted May. 3, 2015 @ 11:31 am By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted May. 3, 2015 @ 11:31 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Many people complain that their families are crazy, but theater critic Mortimer Brewster can say it with authority. He copes with sweet spinster aunts who poison lonely old men as a “mercy,” one brother who is a homicidal maniac and another who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt. “Insanity runs in my family,” says Mortimer, “It practically gallops.” Camelot Theatre’s production of the dark comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” packs a healthy dose of nostalgia for old-movie fans. The play, written by Joseph O. Kesselring just before the start of World War II, was wildly popular. The 1944 film starring Cary Grant was even more so, a perfect light-hearted escape for Americans weary of war.  When Mortimer discovers that his beloved aunts have 11 bodies buried in the cellar and one recent victim in the window box, he is rightly alarmed, and all his plans to spend the evening with his fiancée Elaine come to an abrupt halt. He even questions his decision to marry Elaine when he realizes just how nuts his family is.  Directed by Paul R. Jones, the two-act play takes place over a single night, in the charming Victorian-era living room of the elderly Brewster sisters, Abby, played by Shirley Patton, and Martha, played by Brandy Carson. The two skilled actresses give these quirky characters distinct personalities. Patton’s Abby is sparkly and adorable, while Carson gives Martha a grandmotherly grace. The sisters share their home with their nephew Teddy, played by Brian O’Connor, who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt, blowing a bugle and shouting “Bully!” when he is pleased.  The set, designed by Don Zastoupil is authentic and quaint. The costumes, designed by Donna Boehm are period-appropriate, with a dash of quirk that suit the characters well.  This production may have special appeal for fans of the movie version as the actors channel their cinematic counterparts. Tyler Ward pays homage to Cary Grant’s Mortimer with lots of over-the-top mugging and slapstick. Brianna Gowlan plays a plucky and flirtatious Elaine. Don Matthews, who plays Mortimer’s murderous brother Jonathan, has a booming baritone that lends a dangerous edge to his gleeful villain. Rob Hirschboek, who plays Jonathan’s sniveling sidekick Dr. Einstein, evokes Peter Lorre. Other cast members turn in solid performances as well.  Though the pacing was a bit stiff on opening night, the actors seemed to relax into their roles over time and they delivered a brisk second act. “Arsenic and Old Lace” is full of zippy one-liners, a little romance, a little tension and lots of zany charm. The cast is clearly having a good time and the play doesn’t ask much of the audience beyond sitting back and enjoying the show.  “Arsenic and Old Lace” runs through May 31. Curtain is at 8 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. General tickets cost $25. Senior and student tickets are $23. To purchase tickets call 541-535-5250 or visit www.CamelotTheatre.org. There is a box office fee of $4. Reserved seating is available for an additional $2 per ticket. Student rush tickets cost $10 and can be purchased 10 minutes before performances. Box office hours are noon to 5 p.m., and one hour before performances. Reach Ashland freelance writer Angela Decker at [email protected]. By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted May. 3, 2015 @ 11:31 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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