Electric City Playhouse offers comedy classic ‘Arsenic’

“Arsenic and Old Lace” debuted 75 years ago, but in many ways the play’s dark humor seems tailor-made for today’s ironic sensibilities.

No wonder Joseph Kesselring’s comedy continues to be a popular favorite among regional, college and high school theaters nationwide.

“The black humor carries over from generation to generation,” said Rebecca Evatt, who’s directing the play at Anderson’s Electric City Playhouse.

“Arsenic and Old Lace,” centering on two kindly but homicidal spinsters, continues through Aug. 28.

Abby and Martha are two elderly women who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them.

Their nephew Mortimer has to figure out how to deal with the two sweet murderers — and other insane family members — while trying to untangle his own romantic life.

The 14-character screwball comedy features “every level of humor,” Evatt said.

“There’s black humor, lots of double entendres, and slapstick but also subtle humor as well,” she said. “It’s such a classic.”

A 1944 film adaptation of the play was directed by Frank Capra and starred Cary Grant.

Electric City Playhouse’s production of the play features “an amazing set,” Evatt said.

“I’m told it’s the largest set Electric City Playhouse has ever had,” she said.

Marc Ludena designed the set for the intimate, 110-seat theater. Norman and Dalton Blankenship handled set construction and props. Polly Ludena was in charge of set decoration.

Evatt, the executive assistant to the president of the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, is simultaneously directing another classic screwball comedy, “You Can’t Take It With You,” opening Sept. 9 at Clemson Little Theatre.

Showtimes for “Arsenic and Old Lace” are 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Aug. 26-27; and 3 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 28.

Electric City Playhouse is located at 514 North Murray Avenue in Anderson. For more information, call 864-224-4248.

Greenville News writer Paul Hyde covers the arts like a beast. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7.