“Arsenic and Old Lace” will be performed by the Court House Players next weekend, April 29 through May 1, at the Piankatank Ruritan Club building in Hudgins. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

The classic comedy/mystery chases the antics of a whacky family whose intentions are honorable—except when they’re not.

Two elderly sisters, portrayed by Jennifer Mercer and Linda Ours, have a mission in life: to help lonely old men make their way to the happy hunting grounds in the gentlest way possible, by serving them a very special elderberry wine.

The spinsters’ nephew Mortimer, a New York theater critic played by James King, adores his aunts, but makes a horrifying discovery about them when he brings his fiancée Elaine, played by Julia Blake, to meet them.

An array of zany characters creates havoc, including Ernie Campos as Uncle Teddy, who lives with his sisters and thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt. Things become really testy when Sheldon Roberts as Dr. Einstein and R.J. Erickson as Mortimer’s evil brother, Jonathan Brewster, show up.

The evening quickly turns into a fast-paced, comical race to see who the bad guys really are, and whether they’ll be brought to justice.

Other cast members are Matt Williams as Officer Brophy, Stephanie Sowers as Officer Klein, Tom Robinson as Officer O’Hara, Jim Anderson as both Mr. Gibbs and Lt. Rooney, Paul Hyer as The Rev Dr. Harper, and George Opie as Mr. Witherspoon.

Tickets are $18 for adults ($17 in advance) and $5 for students. For more information, call 804-654-9765. To purchase tickets, visit one of the CHP box offices or go online www.courthouseplayers.org.

Gloucester outlets are located at Office Supply in Edgehill Town Center, Franktronics at 3618 George Washington Memorial Highway at Hayes, or Golden Creations at 1761 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester Point. The Mathews outlet is Mathews Pharmacy, 10858 Buckley Hall Road.