CFF25: ARSENIC AND OLD SPICE Review

ARSENIC AND OLD SPICE presented by Silver Lining Productions as part of the 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. 

Bakery owners Neville and Barry have taken end-of-life choices to a new level. Tired of life? Tired of caring for someone who should be more tired of life? A compassionate confection will lighten your load if you know what to ask for. It’s a well-kept secret, until it isn’t.

Playwright Liz Coley updates a theater classic with a modern twist.

John Simpson is endearing as big-hearted Neville. Complementing him is Zak Kelley as his snarky, fastidious partner Barry. Eileen Earnest is hilarious as their quirky, cause-driven influencer daughter, June, who does great work straddling the line between character and caricature. Rounding out the ensemble with some nice character work are David Little and Kiley DeGreen in multiple roles.

The direction by Gina Kleesattel makes good use of the place space and brings some honest performances out of her cast.

At the opening performance, I did struggle to hear the dialogue at times from several of the performers. Comic asides don’t land if they can’t be heard. Tighter pickups and carrying the energy through the scene changes would help the pacing. I’m sure much of this will resolve itself with the first performance under their belt.

Overall a smart concept, well-executed. Worth the price of admission. 🙂

Three performances remain at Gabriel’s Corner:

• Sat. June 7 at 8:45pm
• Sun, June 8 at 4:15pm
• Fri, June 13 at 7pm