January 1, 2013 • currentnightandday.com
Season opens with killer comedy By Patricia Rettig • news@currentnoblesville.com
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre opens its 2013 season with the famous killer comedy, “Arsenic & OldLace.” The classic comedy kicks off the theatre’s year-long 40th Anniversary celebration, and is on stage now through Feb. 3. Brewster sisters Martha andAbby are charming and innocent ladies who have taken it upon themselves to help lonely men. With a little arsenic, strychnine and just a pinch of cyanide in a glass of homemade elderberry wine, their guests are unburdened of their unhappy lives. Quietly the bodies of these socially and religiously “acceptable” roomers begin to populate their cellar, with the unwitting assistance of their loony brother Teddy, who thinks he is Theodore Roosevelt digging locks for the Panama Canal. Their charity continues smoothly until being discovered by their nephew, Mortimer. A theatre critic who is preparing to marry, Mortimer is shocked to learn the truth – and he only becomes more frantic when his maniacal uncle Jonathan makes a surprise visit! Made popular by the 1941 Frank Capra film starring Cary Grant, “Arsenic & OldLace” proves things are not always what they seem. David Schmittou, last seen at Beef & Boards as Cornelius Hackl in “Hello, Dolly!,” returns in the role of Mortimer. Karen Pappas, popular with Beef & Boards audiences from her portrayal of the hilarious Mavis in the Church Basement Ladies series, plays Abby Brewster, while newcomer Gerri Weagraff plays her sister, Martha. Several more Beef & Boards favorites round out the cast with Douglas E. Stark in the role of loony Teddy Brewster, Jeff Stockberger as the sinister Jonathan Brewster andEddie Curry as Jonathan’s sidekick, Dr. Einstein. Another newcomer, Lisa Ermel plays the role of Mortimer’s fiancée, Elaine Harper. There are 37 performances of “Arsenic & OldLace” scheduled in the intimate setting provided by Beef & Boards. Tickets range from $37.50 to $62.50 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, fruit and salad bar, and select drinks. Discounts are available for children and groups of 20 or more. Parking is free. For reservations, call the box office at 872-
Carmel: Stars of the Russian Ballet • The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Center Green, presents Stars of the Russian Ballet at 8 p.m. Saturday. Encompassing the technical virtuosity and influential artistry synonymous with the rich tradition of Russian ballet, the world’s greatest dancers perform excerpts from the world’s greatest ballets, including “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Le Corsaire” and “Paquita.” For more information, call 843-3800.
Abby Brewster (Karen Pappas), left, and her sister, Martha (Gerri Weagraff), are sweet spinsters who have taken it upon themselves to unburden men of their lonely lives with a very special cocktail of their own creation in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Arsenic & OldLace, on stage now through Feb. 3. (Photo provided by Patricia Rettig)
9664. For a complete show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com.
Upcoming local performances • Aug. 2 through 11 – Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty Kids,” directed by Connie Murello-Todd.
Belfry Theatre, 10690 GreenfieldAve., Noblesville (www.thebelfrytheatre.com/) • Feb. 1 through 17 – “They came from Mars and landed outside the Farndale AvWestfield Playhouse, 1836 Ind. 32, Westfield enue Church Hall in time for the Townswoman’s Guild’s Coffee Morning,” directed (http://westfieldplayhouse.org) • Feb. 22 through March 10 – “Last Roby Ron Richards. mance,” directed by Jan Jamison. • April 5 through 21 – “Little Shop of Hor• May 24 through June 9 – “Monkey Busirors,” directed by Connie Murello-Todd & ness,” directed by Doug Davis. Christie Clinton. • July 25 through 27 – “Secret Garden” • June 7 through 23 – “The Spitfire Grill,” (youth production,) directed by Bobbi directed by Elaine Wagner. 12 | January 1, 2013
Van Howe. • Aug. 30 through Sept. 15 – “Agnes of God,” directed by Brent Wooldridge. • Oct. 11 through 27 – “Mama Won’t Fly,” directed by Doug Davis. • Nov. 29 through Dec. 15 – “Nuncrackers” Carmel Community Players, 14299 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel (www.carmelplayers.org) • Feb. 28 through March 10 – “Steel Magnolias,” directed by Robert Harling. • May 2-12 – “The Little Foxes,” directed by Brent Wooldridge. • July 11-21 – “Marvin’s Room,” directed by Jim LaMonte. Actors Theatre of Indiana, 160 W. Carmel Dr., Carmel (www.actorstheatreofindiana.org) • Feb. 1-24 – “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” • May 10 through June 9 – “My Fair Lady” *Performances are held at The Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts, 4 Center Green, Carmel.
Current in Noblesville
Fishers: Hearthstone holds open mic night • Open Mic Night with Keith Bliss at Hearthstone Coffee House & Pub (8235 E. 116th St.) – Head to Hearthstone on Thursday for open mic night. It’s a family friendly event, and there’s no cover charge. Each act has 10 minutes to perform. For more information, visit www.hearthstonecoffee.com. Noblesville: First Friday Open House • Looking to get out of the house and see interesting works from local artist? Visit the Nickel Plate Arts Campus, 107 S. Eighth St. from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday for its First Friday Open House. Share your 2013 resolution with the Nickel Plate Arts Campus, and let the organization’s winter art show, “Settling In: Winter in Hamilton County,” inspire your goal setting. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.nickelplatearts.org. Westfield: Time for Kirsten • Come to the Westfield Washington Public Library, 333 W. Hoover St., for the American Girl Club. Make fun items for your doll and hear an American Girl short story. Kirsten will be in the spotlight at this free program at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Registration is not required. For more information, call 896-9391 or visit www.wwpl.lib.in.us. Zionsville: Zionsville Performing Arts Center presents New Year’s at the Movies • On Dec. 31, four movies in two theaters will be featured for this festive event held from 6 to 10 p.m. Movies include: Back to the Future, Cinderella, Hook, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for students and no charge for children 5 and under. Tickets are available on the ZPAC website or by calling 873-3355 ext 12345. Four adult tickets for the price on 3 with coupon code NYE2012. www.currentnoblesville.com