Fife High presents dark humor in classic

Photo courtesy of Fife High School Drama Department

“ARSENIC AND OLD LACE,” WILL BE PRESENTED DEC. 4, 5 and 6, by students of the Fife High School drama department.

A new production of the classic play, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” will be presented Dec. 4, 5 and 6, by students of the Fife High School Drama Department.

The production will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Columbia Junior High School, which serves as the school district’s theater.

Teresa Hockman, who has served as Fife High’s drama teacher for more than 12 years, co-directs the show alongside her husband, Dave Hockman, an English and journalism instructor at Columbia Junior High, also located in Fife.

This production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” marks nearly 70 times the couple has directed a play together.

“It’s a dark comedy,” Teresa Hockman said. “You will find yourself laughing at things you know you shouldn’t laugh at.”

Written in 1939 by playwright Joseph Kesselring, “Arsenic and Old Lace” premiered on Broadway in 1941, and became an instant classic that has since been staged thousands of times.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” is set in a stately old home in Brooklyn, N.Y., where two seemingly innocent, elderly sisters – Martha and Abby Brewster – have developed the disturbing habit of killing lonely, old men by serving them wine laced with arsenic.

However, the murderous duo, convinced that their killings are acts of charity, account for only a fraction of the dysfunctional Brewster family.

The sisters are soon joined by three nephews. Teddy Brewster, played by Trevor Zanhow, is a mental institution escapee who thinks he is Theodore Roosevelt.

The role of Jonathon Brewster, a psychopath who resembles the horror film actor Boris Karloff, is shared by Sean McGeehee and David Berry.

Meanwhile, Mortimer Brewster, the only sane member of the clan, is determined to put an end to his family’s ways, while also trying to convince his fiancé not to flee. The role of Mortimer Brewster is shared by Niko Pascua and Kyle McCammon.

In order to involve more students in their productions, the Hockmans often use a system called “double casting,” in which two students share a role, but perform at different show times.

“We want to get as many kids involved as we can, because we understand that performing in plays is often times a life-long memory,” Teresa Hockman said.

The system can also add different dimensions to a play.

“Double casting gives the two shows a whole new perspective and personality,” Dave Hockman said.

Hayley Rathburn, a Fife senior who shares the role of Abby Brewster with another student, said she believes double casting can bring two casts together, while also instilling some friendly competition.

“We all rely on each other and help each other,” Rathburn said. “It also helps us work hard to memorize our lines so we don’t let the group down.”  

Pascua, a senior who plays Mortimer Brewster, has been cast in four other plays directed by the Hockmans, including last year’s “Wizard Of Oz,” in which he played the Wicked Witch.

“It’s going to be a polished production,” Pascua said of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” adding “the audience can expect humor and a lot of dramatic irony in every performance.”

In addition to his theatrical work at Fife High School, Pascua also is active in the drama department at his church. He hopes to study genetics next fall at Stanford University.  

Rathburn, who comes from a family of actors, has been involved in drama productions most of her life, many under the direction of the Hockmans. She credits them with creating a positive environment in which students learn and grow.

“They are geniuses at what they do,” Rathburn said. “Over the years, they have been almost like second parents to me. They create a family atmosphere for all of us.”

Rathburn is already looking forward to the spring production of “Annie,” and plans to continue with theater after she graduates in June 2010.

“Before doing plays I was so shy,” Rathburn said. “Performing has made me comfortable in my own skin and has benefited my life in many ways.”

Fife High’s presentation of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” which has been in production since September, incorporates roughly 30 students and is receiving broad support from the surrounding community.

“Being involved in a production provides what sports teams provide,” Dave Hockman said. “Construction of self confidence, team work and cooperation means everyone has to pull together. There are no small parts, just small actors.”

Performances of “Arsenic and Old Lace” will take place at Columbia Junior High School on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m., Dec. 5 at 2 and 7 p.m., and will conclude with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 6. Tickets are $6.

Hilary Hilpert is a freelance writer, a senior communication major at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, and a member of PLU’s award-winning MediaLab program.

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