'Arsenic & Old Lace' Dark Comedy Classic Coming To Ridgewood School

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Fulfilling a mission to expose students to many different genres of theatre, the Ridgewood High School theatre program is performing the black comedy classic, "Arsenic and Old Lace," this weekend, according to sources.

The RHS New Players Company, which offers high-caliber performing arts events, is acting out the 1939 play, previously adapted for the screen as a 1944 film directed by Frank Capra, the program said.

"The stylistic and comedic demands of ‘Arsenic’ were a challenge and learning opportunity for our performers," New Players' producer Morgan Knight told Patch. "The dialogue and humor may be from a different time period, but at its heart ‘Arsenic’ is a play about our crazy families (something which is timeless)."

Nate Hamm is directing the New Players' show, which will take place across three consecutive days, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday. Following dates will include 8 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, an event flyer said.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for students, staff and seniors. At the 2 p.m. Saturday matinee, seniors get in free, the flyer added.

"I’m really excited for the community to see the kids tackle this classic material, and especially for the older folks to whom this play is a known classic," Knight said.