For immediate release: July 24, 2003 J.M. Drama celebrates 20th anniversary with Arsenic and Old Lace Kitchener - J.M. Drama celebrates its 20th anniversary by presenting the comedy Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring at The Registry Theatre, August 13-16 at 8 p.m. with a matinee on August 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 or $15 for students, seniors and members, and are also available through eyeGO to the Arts. This vintage comedy has been carefully distilled by director Allan Hoch. "Since this is a special year for J.M. Drama, we thought it was a good opportunity to revisit one of our old favourites," said Don Bourgeois, president of J.M Drama. "We presented this classic comedy in 1985, one of our first seasons, and we thought it was a good choice to celebrate our anniversary. Indeed, several former members have come back to assist with the production." After directing Five Women Wearing the Same Dress in May 2002, director Allan Hoch was looking for another comedy with women as its focus. "I find them thrilling and fascinating," said Hoch. "The fact that these ladies have killed 12 men, and see it as a 'blessing' makes me realize I still have a long way to go to understand the opposite sex." Arsenic and Old Lace is a vintage comedy that has delighted audiences with its black humour since it debuted on Broadway in 1941. Frank Capra turned it into a memorable classic film starring Cary Grant in 1944. The play follows the reaction of Mortimer Brewster's discovery of his aunt's serving poisoned wine to lonely old men. At the same time, Mortimer's sociopathic brother reappears and he must deal with a brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. The resulting chaos has become a classic farce that leaves audiences laughing. J.M. Drama has been a community theatre group that has made a difference since it first staged The Odd Couple in 1983. Over the years, it has presented many plays that nurtured many individuals interested in the performing arts. For example, Jonathon Goad, currently starring in the Stratford Festival's critical hit Pericles, starred as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (1993) and as El Gallo in The Fantasticks (1994). Another example is Steve Roth of the Waterloo Stage Theatre who also appeared in several shows. A third example is two time Dora nominated lighting designer, Michael Kruse, who worked with J.M. Drama on several productions in the late 80s and 90s. Over the years, J.M. Drama has been active as a charity by offering scholarships for students in the performing arts and sponsoring schools interested in getting their students involved in the performing arts. Currently, J.M. Drama is concentrating its charitable efforts through operating The Registry Theatre, which it launched in 2001 as a non-profit theatre to host productions by a wide-variety of community organizations. -30 - For more information on Arsenic and Old Lace or J.M. Drama: Call: 519.745.6565 Photo opportunities and interviews with the director or cast can be arranged.
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