Expect the unexpected," said Jacqui Anderton, an Elizabethtown Area High School junior, describing the school's fall play, "Arsenic and Old Lace." "If you come to see this show, you never know what's going to happen or what's going to come next."

"Arsenic and Old Lace" will be performed at the high school, 600 E. High St., Elizabethtown, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 9, with an additional performance at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9.

Set in Brooklyn, "Arsenic and Old Lace" revolves around the quirky Brewster family, whose charming exterior conceals a host of darkly comedic secrets. The story centers on two sweet elderly sisters, Abby and Martha Brewster, who have taken up a sinister hobby: poisoning lonely old men. When their nephew, Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic, uncovers their shocking secret, he is pulled into a chaotic family drama that includes his delusional brother Teddy, who thinks he's President Theodore Roosevelt, and his nefarious brother Jonathan, who is on the run from the law.

The show will offer audiences a mix of comedy and drama, said Jacqui, who portrays Aunt Abby. "The show is about two aunts who are very sweet people. They are very charming," she shared. "But they also think murdering old men is part of their charm."

The women hide the bodies of their victims in the cellar and do their best to keep their villainous activities from their visiting family members.

"They poison elderly men using elderberry wine," said Brendan Fritz, a senior who plays Mortimer. "They think they are providing peace for these men, who are lonely. They think they're doing something good."

"Arsenic and Old Lace" is set in the 1940s. The setting provided a bit of a challenge for the students, many of whom were not familiar with the show before joining the cast. Some watched the 1944 movie of the show to get into character.

"It's been interesting with some of the 1940s references," said Brendan, noting that the cast members had to look up details about people mentioned in the script, including Boris Karloff and Judith Anderson.

For Evelyn Kopp, a junior who portrays Aunt Martha, the show has been a lot of fun to work on because of the plot twists.

"There are a lot of different characters and different plot lines running throughout the show, and it all blends together," she stated. "It's sort of like a movie told from different perspectives, and there are a lot of little plot lines."

Over the course of three acts, audiences are introduced to a variety of eccentric characters, several of whom have their own questionable behavior.

"This show is full of twists and turns around every corner," said senior Scott Creason, who plays Jonathan. "Come and see this show, and you're definitely going to be entertained."

To purchase tickets for "Arsenic and Old Lace," visit https://tinyurl.com/EtownPlayTix24. Online sales will lock three hours before each performance. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour before showtimes. Cash and check only will be accepted at the door.