HUNTSVILLE – The mischief of aging sisters Abby and Martha is exposed when Theatre Huntsville presents Joseph Kesselring’s, “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

Rehearsing a scene from “Arsenic and Old Lace” are Linda Meigs (Martha Brewster), from left, Michael Wood (Mortimer Brewster) and Gaylen Pugh (Abby Brewster). (CONTRIBUTED)

Madison resident Gaylen Pugh and Linda Meigs of Huntsville are portraying the cantankerous Abby and Martha. Michael Wood of Huntsville portrays their nephew, Mortimer.

“Mortimer Brewster is a newspaperman and author known for his diatribes against marriage, and he just got married,” publicist Mark Moore said. Mortimer returns home to tell aunts Abby and Martha about his marriage.

“While trying to break the news, he finds out his aunts’ hobby — killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar,” Moore said. “Add the antics of their nephew and another brother, and you have a story that will leave you laughing out loud.”

As Abby, Pugh welcomed the task of recreating a near-classic role. “The two biggest challenges were retaining the character as written and developing my own interpretation of that person’s life experiences and behavior,” Pugh said.

Pugh appreciates Theatre Huntsville’s vision to provide the community and its actors a range of opportunities in newly released plays and musicals, along with family classics like “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

Pugh describes her character, Abby, as “a delightful lady who exhibits the charm, character and steel strength of the women of her day. She lives in a world where civility and integrity are expected behaviors. I would indeed want to know her and be her friend.”

Other cast members are David Schulte (Jonathan) of Hartselle and Michael Bradley (Teddy) of Huntsville.

Nina Soden is directing the show, assisted by Gina White. Sam Marsh is producer. Kevin McDougal is working as stage manager, and Bryan Comer as technical director.

Show dates are Nov. 15-16 and 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and November 17 and 23 at 2 p.m. at the VBC Playhouse. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for students, senior citizens 65 years and older and active military.

For tickets, call 256-536-0807 or visit THTix.com. For information, email to theatrehsv@bellsouth.net and visit Facebook/TheatreHuntsville.