The Amarillo Little Theatre (ALT) is revisiting a cornerstone of its history with a fresh staging of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” running from Oct. 24 through Nov. 3. Directed by Peg Lovett, this dark comedy offers a night of laughter, nostalgia, and quirky, murderous fun — perfect for audiences of all ages.
For ALT, “Arsenic and Old Lace” is more than just a production; it’s a reflection of the theater’s legacy. The play, written by Joseph Kesselring and first performed on Broadway in 1941, has deep ties to ALT’s early days. “It’s woven into the fabric of this theater,” Lovett said. “When this building was first opened in the 1940s, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ was one of the early shows we did. It’s literally etched into the bricks of this place.”
This year’s revival holds even deeper meaning as a tribute to Alan Shinkles, ALT’s former artistic director, who passed away last year. Shinkles directed the play during his first year at ALT, famously juggling multiple roles and even handling lighting duties. “He didn’t have enough actors for all 16 roles, so he’d run up to the lighting booth, come back down to play a part, then dash back to change the lights. It’s such a special memory for this theater,” Lovett recalled.