Draper Historic Theatre is no stranger to hosting classic musicals, plays and other productions. This October will be no exception when “Arsenic and Old Lace” will entertain audiences. 

This rendition of the 1939 play by Joseph Kesselring has been adapted in film and performed numerous times across the U.S. Draper Historic Theatre will host the popular stage performance Oct. 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21 and 23. Each performance begins at 7 p.m. at the theater, 12366 South 900 East. Marc Navez will be this rendition’s executive producer and director. Casey Dean is working as assistant director, with Todd Taylor-Hosington as stage manager. Other key organizers and leaders are Craig Haycock, who’ll be technical adviser; Aylana Bria, as costume designer; and Kimberly Webb, handling prop design. 

The play follows the Brewster family, descendants of the Mayflower who have become insane and homicidal. The only family member who doesn’t share these murderous inclinations is Mortimer Brewster, the main character in the play. He has recently proposed to marry his true love, Elaine, though he is now questioning whether he wants to go through with it. 

Meanwhile, Mortimer’s aunts have gotten into the practice of poisoning old men with a homemade concoction of elderberry wine with arsenic, strychnine and a pinch of cyanide. Mortimer discovers one of these victims. While this would be sufficient enough to drive anyone to madness, Mortimer gets a visit from his crazy brother, who thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt, along with another brother, Jonathan, who has altered his appearance in order to hide his crimes of murder. The combination of this zany cast of characters and bizarre events leads to hilarity and shenanigans that are sure to keep all audience members in stitches.

The play will be especially entertaining given it will be performed just before Halloween.  

Those interested in seeing this crowd-pleasing, hysterical play should visit http://www.drapertheatre.org/. You may also visit the box office of the theater the night of each showing; however, seating is limited, so arrive early. The box office will open at 6:20.

Ticket prices vary depending on seats and age. There are three different types of seats: Premium Select, Premium Reserved and General Admission. For Premium Select, it’ll be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students and military members, and $10 for children 12 and under. Premium Reserved seats will cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, students and military, and $8 for children 12 and under. For General Admission, it’s $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, students and military, and $8 for children 12 and under. 

The Draper Historic Theatre opened its doors in 1938 as “The Pearl.” It became a nonprofit organization in 1998.