Share a glass of poisoned wine with the Brewsters
By Sally Carpenter sallyc@theacorn.com

LOVELY BUT LETHAL- Not the Addams family, but just as kooky. Seated, left, Trish Beasley (Martha Brewster), Juanita Seavey (Abby). Standing, left, Mark Heulitt (Mortimer) and Larry Shilkoff (Teddy).

Camarillo Community Theatre retreads the 1941 golden oldie, "Arsenic and Old Lace" by Joseph Kesselring, a comedy that makes murder fun.

The peaceful Brewster mansion in Brooklyn is home to spinster sisters Abby (Juanita Seavey) and Martha (Trish Beasley). They're loved by the community for their kind acts.

But the sisters have a shadow side- one of their "charities" is poisoning lonely old gentlemen with homemade elderberry wine tainted with arsenic. The bodies are buried- with a Christian service, of course- by nephew Teddy Brewster (Larry Shilkoff), who believes he's Teddy Roosevelt digging a lock for the Panama Canal.

Their scheme is uncovered by nephew Mortimer Brewster (Mark Heulitt), a drama critic who hates the theater and writes his reviews on the way to shows "to save time." (This critic didn't write her review beforehand.)

When Mortimer discovers victim No. 12 in the parlor window seat, he jettisons his engagement- to the chagrin of fiancee Elaine Harper (Julie Jones)- to stop his aunts.

Meanwhile, Mortimer's brother Jonathan (Mike Moffat), the family's black sheep, returns home with a stiff of his own and his henchman, Dr. Einstein- that's Herman Einstein (David Banuelos)- a drunken surgeon who rearranges Jonathan's face periodically. Jonathan covets the mansion as his criminal headquarters and to settle an old score with Mortimer.

Will Jonathan murder Mortimer? Will the aunts stop killing? Will the lovers marry? Will the bodies get buried? Will Teddy finish his term in office?

The production showcases some fine performances. Those who saw Seavey as the hardbitten Hannah in "The Spitfire Grill" are in for a treat as the actress demonstrates her adaptability. She's adorable as prissy Abby, pitterpattering across the stage. Beasley, the tall sister, is a clever foil and plays off Seavey well.

Heulitt, another "Spitfire" veteran, is a good straight man who plays several personas well- flirty with his girl, gentle with his aunts, threatening to Jonathan. He's especially funny in Act 3 when he gets "all tied up."

Jones is delightful as the preacher's daughter.

Shilkoff seems to truly believe he's Roosevelt, and he carries the role with authority- he gets my vote.

But Banuelos' twitchy Einstein steals the show. His German accent is hilarious and his comic timing impeccable. I loved the way he nonchalantly tucked the silverware into his pocket while talking.

When the Broadway show opened, Boris Karloff played Mortimer. Characters constantly remark that Mortimer's face reminds them of Karloff (Einstein operated on Mortimer after watching a movie). Moffat attempts to mirror Karloff with his heavy makeup, but the results aren't convincing.

Although Moffat is imposing with his height and deep voice, he isn't sinister enough- he plays the role more like a bully than a dangerous criminal.

Bravo to Keith High, who creates two distinct, unique roles- the Rev. Dr. Harper and Mr. Witherspoon.

Most of the humor is found not in the witty lines but in the characters, the situation and the stage business, especially the way the corpses are hauled around.

Although the script is a favorite, it's starting to age. Baby boomers and younger generations might not understand the references to 1940s' pop culture and the war in Europe.

The four police officers are so dim they couldn't arrest a jaywalker. Such stock characters were once common shtick but now seem outdated.

Also, serial killing hardly seems a laughing matter these days. If the sisters were tried in today's courts, they might be found "not guilty by reason of insanity"- they honestly don't believe that their actions are wrong.

What works is the aunts' utter conviction in the righteousness of their efforts and the delightful world created by the nutty characters. They're happy where they are- let the audience share in the fun.

One piece of business confused me- Mortimer locks the front door with a key and lays the key on the desk. A few minutes later, Abby opens the door without unlocking it. How did she do that?

Note to props: To enhance realism, put some hair on the manikins and fill the donation box with more toys.

The period costumes are eyecatching, especially the long satin dresses.

Running time is two hours and 45 minutes.

The show continues weekends through May 13 at 330 Skyway Drive, inside Camarillo Airport. For tickets and times, call (805) 388-5716.