Bedford High School - Epic Yearbook (Bedford, OH)

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ARSENIC AND OLD LAC Ell ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Cast and Craw FRONT ROW: Sheila Rader. Renee Hynes. Ron Dick, Tony Rutledge. Mathew Lesniewski. ROW TWO: Gary Morth. Ron da Gulajski. Doug Prior. Shence Butler. Della Gott. Natalie Prodan. Ron Lisy. ROW THREE: Mrs. Nada Kokal. Miss Karen Haus, Krista Stahl, Helen V . Sherrie Szelagowski. Venessa Schade. Missy Cousins. Yvonne Harris. Matt Burt. Andrea Harris. ROW FOUR: Mike Spehar. Marvin Turom. Mr. David Bauagartner. Mike Cackowski, Tony Harwood. Terry Kurtz. Another of Abby and Martha's victims? No. it's only the evil Jonathan Brew- ster (Marvin Turpin), who tried to strangle Officer Klien (Tony Harwood) and was knocked unconscious by Officer Brophy (Natalie Prodan). Meanwhile. Lieutenant Rooney (Ron Lisy) tries to understand what’s going on. Mortimer (Doug Prior), who has been tied up and gagged by the villians. tries to convince Officer O’Hara (Matt Lesniewski) to release him, but O'Hara decides that Mortimer has to hear the plot” of the play he’s written and leaves Mortimer as he is. 14 SPECIAL EVENT

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Marty Johnson and tha cheerleaders psych the senior crowdl Clap your hands to the Bearcats ..II Kim HoNts. Laune Metzger and Twan Hodges join to excite the rally crowd. IFftT ASSEMBLY 13

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After a year's absence, the Bedford Thearts Society returned to the stage yv,th its fall show, the classic murder comedy, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace . The show was directed by David S. Baumgartner, a Twinsburg attorney and community theater veteran. Also in charge of the production were Miss Haus and Miss Schwolow. the Thearts co-advisors, and Mrs. Kokal, the make- up committee advisor. ' Arsenic centers around two sweet and adorable old sisters. Abby and Mar- tha Brewster, (portrayed by Della Gott and Shence Butler), who have a quaint habit of poisoning lonely old gentlemen to put them out of their misery. But when their nephew. Mortimer, (played on alternate nights by Doug Prior and Terry Kurtz), discovers their latest victim tucked neatly away in the window seat, things go haywire. Not long after, Mortimer chases his fiancee. Elaine Harper (Ronda Gulajski), out of the house. His evil brother, Jonathon (Mar- vin Turpin), returns after many years' absence with his sidekick, Dr. Einstein, (alternately played by Ron Dick and Matt Lesmewski), with hopes of stash- ing his latest murder victim in the Brew- ster home. When Jonathan discovers that he and the aunts have the same number of victims to their credit, twelve, a contest to find a thirteenth victim begins. Mortimer almost becomes Jonathan's game winning victim, until his insane brother, Teddy (Tony Rut- ledge), who thinks he is Teddy Roose- velt, blows his bugle, bringing the local police (Natalie Prodan, Tony Harwood, and Ron Lisy) on the run. The conflict is resolved as Jonathan is carted off to jail. Dr. Einstein escapes. Mortimer and Elaine are reunited, and the aunts prepare to accompany Teddy to Happy Dale Sanitarium. But shortly before leav- ing, Abby and Martha give their last glass of poisoned elderberry wine to Happy Dale's superintendent, Mr. Witherspoon. Also included in the production were Sheila Rader, who por- trayed Dr. Harper, Elaine Harper's moth- er, and Gary Morth who played the part of a near-victim. Mr. Gibbs. Arsenic and Old Lace was greeted warmly, but by limited audiences during its December 11, 12, and 13 run. However, it allowed the Thearts members the opportunities to put to use their talents once again in the forms of set-building, costuming, and make-up committees, in addition to actually ap- pearing on stage. Mortimer Brewster (Doug Pnor) introduces Officer O'Hara (Matt Lesmewski) to hts aunts. Abby (Della Gott) and Mvtha (Shertce Butler) •'I'm sorry, but we can t take sane people at Happy Dale ” Teddy is safely committed, but as Mr Witherspoon (Terry Kurtz) explains to the elderly ladies (Shence Butler and Della Gott). they cannot go with Teddy to the sanitarium Mortimer Brewster (Doug Prior) and Elaine Harper (Ronda Guiaski). look on. DRAMA PRODUCTION 15