On April 14, 15 and 16, Orono students took to the stage to perform what they are calling a “killer comedy.” Arsenic and Old Lace, stars the Brewster sisters, played by Martha (Olivia Torgerson) and Abby (Ellie Osvig), who proved to be the perfect choice for these crucial roles and worked seamlessly off each other.

Written by Joseph Kesselring and directed by Orono’s own Marie Campbell, Arsenic and Old Lace was performed at Orono High School’s Fenholt Auditorium.

The play was set over the course of two days in a single living room. The living room in question was beautifully furnished, and provided the perfect background for the 1940s era production. Costumes were tastefully kept in tune with the 1940s theme and added to the overall appeal of the play.

Luke Henson, furthering his reputation from Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere, now appeared as Teddy Brewster. Teddy was under the impression that he was in fact Theodore Roosevelt America’s 26th president, which proved to be yet another funny addition to the hilarious play.

And of course, no play is complete without a romance. Elaine Harper (Audrey Patterson) and Mortimer Brewster (Quinn Courteau) got engaged right before the audience’s eyes, and their budding romance becomes intertwined in the events of the play, making a spectacle with their onstage kisses.

The two sisters hosted Teddy in their house, acting as mother figures to Mortimer and Jonathan Brewster (TJ Marxer), the third brother. He returns home accompanied by Dr. Einstein (Maighread Shaughnessy), bringing a wealth of trouble with them. Swept away in the drama and twists, the audience is carried along a bumpy ride as the unpredictable play unfolds.

The next performance by students with be the fall musical of next year, so don’t miss out.