However, these aren't your ordinary ladies. These are the infamous Brewster sisters of the classic black comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace," who may just put you into a deep "permanent" sleep. Not to worry though, they mean well.
"It's about two sisters, who have a room for rent," said Director Trisha Johnson. "They think they are doing a charity by killing these old men, who have no families."
Bringing the ensemble of farcical characters to life are your local Union City Park Players with a lively cast of past favorites and new faces both on and off set.
"It's a great show and the cast is phenomenal," said Johnson, who is making her directorial debut. "This is my first time directing. It's been a challenge to make sure you have everything from costumes and props to the sets and actually giving the actors their characters."
Over the years, Johnson has served in numerous capacities with the Park Players. She has played supporting roles and worked backstage as stage manager and assistant director.
She is also the niece of two of the founding members, Joe Conklin and John Fiorenza, who were both cast as the leading ladies in "Arsenic and Old Lace."
"We are extremely excited about having her direct us," said Conklin. "She has taken on many hats, and does it with such a drive."
Conklin, who has served as director and actor simultaneously in previous productions, is relishing the chance to focus solely on his character.
"I think this is the first time in a long time I was able to truly enjoy the role," said Conklin.
"I'm very proud of her," said Fiorenza. "This is her first time directing and she is doing a good job. She's very structured and is taking care of everything."
Care for some wine?
Set in Brooklyn, "Arsenic and Old Lace" was written in 1939 by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, and became best-known through the 1944 film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra.
At the heart of the Brewster family are the aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, who are murdering lonely old men with their homemade concoction of elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine and just a pinch of cyanide.
"She's a bit of a scatter brain, but no one puts one over on her," said Conklin of his character Abby. "She's a very happy sweet old lady who loves everyone, especially her nephew Mortimer."
"I've compared her to Edith Bunker and Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffin Show," he added.
Playing the older sister Martha is Fiorenza.
"I play Aunt Martha, the older sister," said Fiorenza. "She is the stern Brewster, and thinks she is doing a charity. There is nothing wrong with it. It's just part of getting up in the morning."
Brotherly love
In the midst of this whole madness is the sisters' nephew Mortimer, who inadvertently finds out what his "dear aunts" are doing, and attempts to cover up the crimes.
Mortimer Brewster (played by Angelo Cerrone), is a cynical drama theatre critic, who has recently proposed to the woman he loves, but fears to bring her into the family madness.
Jonathon Brewster (played by Tom Thiel), has a murderous itch of his own. Jonathon has been on a worldwide killing spree with the help of his accomplice, plastic surgeon Dr. Einstein (played by Brian Hagerty), who gives Jonathon a new face every few kills so no one recognizes him.
The mass murderer, who looks like horror-film actor Boris Karloff, comes back to visit his family.
Jonathon also discovers what the aunts have been up to, and in a strange coincidence they are also up to the same body count in victims.
The youngest brother Teddy, (played by Andy Eller), who believes he is President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, also unwittingly becomes an accomplice to the aunts when he helps to bury the bodies.
"Arsenic and Old Lace" will play from April 20 to 29 at the Weehawken Elks Lodge No. 2, located at 50th Street and Boulevard East in Weehawken. For more information, call (201) 941-6030 or visit www.parkplayers.com.
Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com
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