Anne Portman and Kelle Senye Photo Courtesy of Albuquerque Little Theatre

Arsenic and Old Lace calls for a rogues' gallery of odd and slightly nefarious characters, and the entire ALT cast is excellent in their portrayals. Abby and Martha Brewster are played beautifully by Kelle Senye and Anne Portman. I thoroughly believed their every eccentricity. Theatre critic Mortimer Brewster is portrayed by Isaac Dean Carrillo with frantic aplomb. He keeps the action moving at an almost frenetic pace. His girlfriend, Elaine Harper, is played by Darby Kolwyck as an ingenue with intelligence and wit.

The murderous Jonathan Brewster is played by Chris Adams with a nod to the original Boris Karloff. His sidekick, the slimy Dr. Einstein, played by Daniel Anaya, also gives a nod to the original movie portrayal of Peter Lorre. Both actors are able to evoke these classic actors without doing imitations of them–no easy task. Teddy Brewster is played by Nathan Chavez; he is a wonderful Teddy Roosevelt.

All the other policemen, doctors, ministers and dead bodies are well done. This play requires many of the actors to use physical slapstick in their portrayals. Kudos to all for their antics and their ability to handle dead bodies realistically. The action never lags.

Albuquerque Little Theatre is known for its outstanding sets and this production is no exception. The living room of the Brewster house is beautifully realized by set designer Jason Roman. The set provides all the levels and entrance and exit opportunities for the continuous action. Costume designer Melanie Ebaugh has provided the Brewster sisters with beautifully tailored costumes. Elaine Harper's ensembles are perhaps a bit out of period, but overall, the costumes work for all the characters. Properties, designed by Jess Rivera, are well chosen and well used by the actors.

The sound at ALT has, of late, been a bit erratic. For this production, sound designer Joshua Billiter, audio engineer Peter Holt, and soundboard operator Jude Sheldrake have really gotten their act together. Every word can be heard and there were no embarrassing sound system errors at the performance I attended. Brittney Baker's lighting design is in service of the play; the practical lights on stage work well.

When the play ended, I found that I had made no notes. There was nothing that stood out as wrong. This is a well-done, organic production that invites the audience to sit back and enjoy the action. Even the curtain call is well done.

Congratulations to Albuquerque Little Theatre on this production and on the work being done to revitalize and rejuvenate this historically important institution. New Executive Director Jon Montgomery and Artistic Director Brandon Thomsen are making a real difference.

Arsenic and Old Lace runs through October 18, 2026, at Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale Ave. SW, Albuquerque NM. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $38 - $28. For tickets and information, please visit www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org or call 505-242-4750.

Directed by Ryan Jason Cook, Scenic Designer-Jason Roman, Costume Designer-Melanie Ebaugh, Lighting Designer-Brittney Baker, Sound Designer-Joshua Billiter, Properties Designer-Jess Rivera, Stage Manager-Melissa Sheldrake.

The Cast: Kelle Senye, Anne Portman, Isaac Dean Carrillo, Darby Kolwyck, Nathan Chavez, Chris Adams, Daniel Anaya, Zane Barker, Warren Asa Wilgus, Nino Damian Folch, Bryan Lambe, Larry Bernstein, Danny McBride, Chris Black, Ivo Chacon, Everett Raucci.