Arsenic and Old Lace
at Dana Hills (SOCSA)

Reviewed on October 20, 2017

Sophie Matossian
San Clemente
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Dana Hills' (SOSCA) ‘Arsenic and Old Lace' is hilariously deadly
written by Sophie Matossian, a sophomore at San Clemente High School

"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a timely comedy about an ordinary man named Mortimer Brewster who falls in love with the girl next door, but whose plans of marriage are thwarted when he learns of his dysfunctional family's secrets. The family seems to grow crazier after he finds a dead body under the window seat and his aunts' only response is that the man would be joining the other 11 in the cellar soon enough.

Mortimer Brewster, played by Stone Burgan, stays with his two caring, hospitable aunts, and his eccentric brother, Teddy (Riley Byrnes), who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt. As his character's world falls apart, Burgan changes his demeanor completely. The utter shock of the situation is made apparent and his level of paranoia is through the roof. His brother, on the other hand, justifies it all as another experience in the life of a general. Byrnes provides comedic relief in moments of tension as he blasts his bugle center stage and hurdles up the stairs yelling "Charge!"

Kaitlin Wright puts absolutely everything into her performance as Aunt Abby. She incorporates every detail of her character into the show, from walking up the stairs painfully and slowly to including the simple forgetfulness that comes with old age. She moves across the stage with light-hearted weariness, grasping her lower back and muttering to herself as she goes. The chemistry between her and her sister-in-crime, Martha (Olivia Drury), add to the comedic effect of the pair.

When the Brewsters' estranged brother, Jonathan (Dylan Avillanoza), comes to visit after years of traveling, even his aunts are troubled. Avillanoza strategically uses the extremes of his emotions to convey his anger and resentment towards the rest of the Brewsters. His animalistic behavior and strong diction command the attention of each audience member.

Uniquely, this play is entirely student-directed by Sabrina Jones. The commitment and dedication Jones puts into her position as a respected figure of authority as well as a supportive peer is, admirably, the heart of the production.

From the reflective color palette of the handmade costumes to the dim, orange-yellow glow of the street lamps, the crew makes the most of every aspect including a creative set design and realistic age makeup.

Dana Hill's (SOSCA) production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" is original, timeless, and full of laughs.

Sophie Matossian
San Clemente
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Dana Hills' (SOSCA) ‘Arsenic and Old Lace' is hilariously deadly
written by Sophie Matossian, a sophomore at San Clemente High School

"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a timely comedy about an ordinary man named Mortimer Brewster who falls in love with the girl next door, but whose plans of marriage are thwarted when he learns of his dysfunctional family's secrets. The family seems to grow crazier after he finds a dead body under the window seat and his aunts' only response is that the man would be joining the other 11 in the cellar soon enough.

Mortimer Brewster, played by Stone Burgan, stays with his two caring, hospitable aunts, and his eccentric brother, Teddy (Riley Byrnes), who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt. As his character's world falls apart, Burgan changes his demeanor completely. The utter shock of the situation is made apparent and his level of paranoia is through the roof. His brother, on the other hand, justifies it all as another experience in the life of a general. Byrnes provides comedic relief in moments of tension as he blasts his bugle center stage and hurdles up the stairs yelling "Charge!"

Kaitlin Wright puts absolutely everything into her performance as Aunt Abby. She incorporates every detail of her character into the show, from walking up the stairs painfully and slowly to including the simple forgetfulness that comes with old age. She moves across the stage with light-hearted weariness, grasping her lower back and muttering to herself as she goes. The chemistry between her and her sister-in-crime, Martha (Olivia Drury), add to the comedic effect of the pair.

When the Brewsters' estranged brother, Jonathan (Dylan Avillanoza), comes to visit after years of traveling, even his aunts are troubled. Avillanoza strategically uses the extremes of his emotions to convey his anger and resentment towards the rest of the Brewsters. His animalistic behavior and strong diction command the attention of each audience member.

Uniquely, this play is entirely student-directed by Sabrina Jones. The commitment and dedication Jones puts into her position as a respected figure of authority as well as a supportive peer is, admirably, the heart of the production.

From the reflective color palette of the handmade costumes to the dim, orange-yellow glow of the street lamps, the crew makes the most of every aspect including a creative set design and realistic age makeup.

Dana Hill's (SOSCA) production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" is original, timeless, and full of laughs.

Martin Perez
Aliso Niguel
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Dana Hills kills it with "Arsenic and Old Lace"


Dana Hills High School presents the hilarious tale of "Arsenic and Old Lace", a black comedy based on the lives of the seemingly innocent Brewster family who hides a dark secret. As the play progresses, family secrets unravel as all of the murder and insanity which follows the Brewsters comes out.

Abby (Kaitlin Wright) and Martha Brewster (Olivia Drury) portray the kind aunts with a secret homicidal tendency. Both aunts react nonchalantly when Mortimer finds their dead body, calmly stating that they enjoy murdering lonely old men. Wright excellently portrays her old age, walking slowly while clutching her lower back while Drury appear slightly younger, walking and moving more youthfully yet still seeming old. Abby Brewster consistently speaks in a loud, comedic voice, working well with Martha to play the stereotypical bickering old ladies.

Jonathan Brewster (Dylan Avillanoza) acts as the antagonist in the story, causing trouble as he begins to unravel the family's secrets. Avillanoza's anger and rage flows through his veins throughout the story, letting out small grunts or growls to show his more animalistic behavior. Jonathan's mental instability is evident throughout his booming tone of voice as well as his random violent outbursts of attack.

Mortimer Brewster (Stone Burgan) is the protagonist in the play, a successful drama critic whose life changes as he learns of their secret homicidal insanity. Burgan portrays the mental breakdown Mortimer feels as he discovers his family's secrets, pacing around the stage and clutching his suit. Mortimer appears as an outcast from the normal insanity and homicidal tendencies of the rest of the Brewsters.

Student direction by Sabrina Jones gives actors lively blocking and allows for movements by the actors as they feel motivated to do. Director choices such as the decision to use a real actor to portray the corpse of Mr. Hoskins (Lucas Pool) gave a more realistic sense to the murder committed by the aunts as the body drags across the stage; Pool's body flimsily lands in the cellar.

Hair and Makeup design by Kate Simpson and Lauren Stevens allows for further character development as they let characters better distinguish their personalities and identities. Aged makeup for the Brewster sisters helps add to their elderly demeanor, as well as the gruesome scar on Jonathan's face further develops his brooding and menacing behavior.

Martin Perez
Aliso Niguel
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Dana Hills kills it with "Arsenic and Old Lace"


Dana Hills High School presents the hilarious tale of "Arsenic and Old Lace", a black comedy based on the lives of the seemingly innocent Brewster family who hides a dark secret. As the play progresses, family secrets unravel as all of the murder and insanity which follows the Brewsters comes out.

Abby (Kaitlin Wright) and Martha Brewster (Olivia Drury) portray the kind aunts with a secret homicidal tendency. Both aunts react nonchalantly when Mortimer finds their dead body, calmly stating that they enjoy murdering lonely old men. Wright excellently portrays her old age, walking slowly while clutching her lower back while Drury appear slightly younger, walking and moving more youthfully yet still seeming old. Abby Brewster consistently speaks in a loud, comedic voice, working well with Martha to play the stereotypical bickering old ladies.

Jonathan Brewster (Dylan Avillanoza) acts as the antagonist in the story, causing trouble as he begins to unravel the family's secrets. Avillanoza's anger and rage flows through his veins throughout the story, letting out small grunts or growls to show his more animalistic behavior. Jonathan's mental instability is evident throughout his booming tone of voice as well as his random violent outbursts of attack.

Mortimer Brewster (Stone Burgan) is the protagonist in the play, a successful drama critic whose life changes as he learns of their secret homicidal insanity. Burgan portrays the mental breakdown Mortimer feels as he discovers his family's secrets, pacing around the stage and clutching his suit. Mortimer appears as an outcast from the normal insanity and homicidal tendencies of the rest of the Brewsters.

Student direction by Sabrina Jones gives actors lively blocking and allows for movements by the actors as they feel motivated to do. Director choices such as the decision to use a real actor to portray the corpse of Mr. Hoskins (Lucas Pool) gave a more realistic sense to the murder committed by the aunts as the body drags across the stage; Pool's body flimsily lands in the cellar.

Hair and Makeup design by Kate Simpson and Lauren Stevens allows for further character development as they let characters better distinguish their personalities and identities. Aged makeup for the Brewster sisters helps add to their elderly demeanor, as well as the gruesome scar on Jonathan's face further develops his brooding and menacing behavior.

Carlie McCleary
San Clemente
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

SOSCA's 'Arsenic' is deliciously devious
written by Carlie McCleary, a junior at San Clemente High School

Something wicked this way comes to Dana Hills High School's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." Slipping arsenic into the wine of lonely men and women, the so-called charitable Brewster family's lives change when their estranged nephew comes back to visit his childhood home. Deciphering the line between family loyalty and self protection, the quirky Brewsters work together to help their family and neighbors, even if in an unexpected way.

Kaitlin Wright as Abby Brewster, the matron of the household, walks slowly, holding her lower back and leaning forward to express her growing age. With Wright's constant slow movements and high-pitched Brooklyn accent, she nonchalantly exposes her murderous whereabouts, adding comedy to the dark subject matter. Olivia Drury as Martha Brewster works well with Wright; their sisterly connection shining through their quick and genuine tangential conversations.

Dylan Avillanoza embodies the Brewster's vengeful nephew, Jonathan, deepening his vocal pitch and looking downward to expose his sinister nature. Avillanoza leans forward and growls like an animal stalking its prey, revealing the blood-thirsty nature of his character. Dr. Einstein (Aidan Newbowles), Jonathan's sidekick, consistently shakes his hands and clutches his liver, to showcase his nervousness and alcoholism. The two foil each other well, Avillanoza's eerie calmness contrasting Newbowles' constant movement allowing for them to create a believable unit.

Makeup Design by Kate Simpson and Lauren Stevens impressively develop dark elevated scars on Jonathan's face, the bubbling marks instilling fear in his long-lost family. With aging Abby and Martha, Simpson and Stevens contour deep wrinkles and sagging chin around each girl's face, completely transforming them into elderly women. The make-up crew covered Dr. Einstein's face with infectious red hives to establish him as an alcoholic, taking into account the real effects of alcohol on one's skin.

Costumes by Natalie Creech and Kendall Santos create a cohesive family unit, matching lively personalities with lively clothing. By placing Mortimer in a white suit and Jonathan in a black one, Creech and Santos cement the Brewster feud and allude to an angel or devil on the shoulders of the aunts.

With the dedication from Socsa's cast and crew, Dana Hills High School's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" is positively to die for!

Carlie McCleary
San Clemente
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

SOSCA's 'Arsenic' is deliciously devious
written by Carlie McCleary, a junior at San Clemente High School

Something wicked this way comes to Dana Hills High School's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." Slipping arsenic into the wine of lonely men and women, the so-called charitable Brewster family's lives change when their estranged nephew comes back to visit his childhood home. Deciphering the line between family loyalty and self protection, the quirky Brewsters work together to help their family and neighbors, even if in an unexpected way.

Kaitlin Wright as Abby Brewster, the matron of the household, walks slowly, holding her lower back and leaning forward to express her growing age. With Wright's constant slow movements and high-pitched Brooklyn accent, she nonchalantly exposes her murderous whereabouts, adding comedy to the dark subject matter. Olivia Drury as Martha Brewster works well with Wright; their sisterly connection shining through their quick and genuine tangential conversations.

Dylan Avillanoza embodies the Brewster's vengeful nephew, Jonathan, deepening his vocal pitch and looking downward to expose his sinister nature. Avillanoza leans forward and growls like an animal stalking its prey, revealing the blood-thirsty nature of his character. Dr. Einstein (Aidan Newbowles), Jonathan's sidekick, consistently shakes his hands and clutches his liver, to showcase his nervousness and alcoholism. The two foil each other well, Avillanoza's eerie calmness contrasting Newbowles' constant movement allowing for them to create a believable unit.

Makeup Design by Kate Simpson and Lauren Stevens impressively develop dark elevated scars on Jonathan's face, the bubbling marks instilling fear in his long-lost family. With aging Abby and Martha, Simpson and Stevens contour deep wrinkles and sagging chin around each girl's face, completely transforming them into elderly women. The make-up crew covered Dr. Einstein's face with infectious red hives to establish him as an alcoholic, taking into account the real effects of alcohol on one's skin.

Costumes by Natalie Creech and Kendall Santos create a cohesive family unit, matching lively personalities with lively clothing. By placing Mortimer in a white suit and Jonathan in a black one, Creech and Santos cement the Brewster feud and allude to an angel or devil on the shoulders of the aunts.

With the dedication from Socsa's cast and crew, Dana Hills High School's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" is positively to die for!