'Arsenic and Old Lace’

Never take candy from strangers. Or, as is the case in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” beware of elderberry wine offered by sweet, little old ladies. The Lamoille County Players bring this American comedy classic to the stage in their 67th season.

Performance dates for this charming dark comedy are Oct. 4-6 and 11-13, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., at the historic Hyde Park Opera House in Hyde Park.

Welcome to Brooklyn circa 1940 and the warped, wacky world of the Brewster family. Aunt Abby (Helen LeClair Jurnak of Essex) and Aunt Martha (Karin Shearer of Hardwick), who are known throughout the neighborhood for their many acts of kindness, are a bit misguided, while their nephew, Teddy (James Cass of South Royalton) — aka Teddy Roosevelt — is downright batty. Enter Mortimer (Marcus Becherer of Cabot), the “normal” nephew, an author who has just gotten married to Elaine Harper (Christine Newberg of Hyde Park) and is hoping to announce his good news to the family. Before long, Mortimer is caught up in the craziness with no clear exit plan.

First time LCP director Heather Vize-Willey of Hyde Park chose the show for its brilliant balance between lighthearted and dark humor.

“I’ve watched these wonderful actors flourish and grow into beautiful, wild and crazy characters as we have rehearsed,” she said.

The Arsenic and Old Lace cast also features Sam Lewis of Johnson, Clem Turmel of Milton, Tom Anastasio of Hyde Park, David Smith and Rick Loya of Morrisville, Martin Theoni of North Hyde Park, Noah Shearer of Hardwick, Michael Smith of Cambridge and Thom Smith of Fairfax.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students, or seniors ages 60 and over. Tickets are buy one, get one free for the first weekend, and half the proceeds on Oct. 4-5 will be donated to Lamoille county Habitat for Humanity (use code LCHFH). Any seat for the 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 6 is $10.

The box office (802-888-4507) opens an hour before each performance; tickets are also available at lcplayers.com or at the door.

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