Insanity and hilarity share the stage at Marriotts Ridge High [Marriottsville/Sykesville/Woodstock]

Although the adjectives "madcap" and "murderous" do not frequently appear together, both aptly describe Joseph Kesselring's black comedy, "Arsenic and Old Lace."

This classic first appeared onstage in 1941 but grew in popularity after its 1944 screen adaptation, directed by Frank Capra and starring Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic who visits his mentally unbalanced family to announce his impending marriage.

Among Brewster's relatives are two maiden aunts who poison elderly gentleman as acts of "charity," one cousin who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and another cousin who has escaped from an institution and undergone plastic surgery that that leaves him looking like … well, no spoilers here! Clearly, insanity and hilarity work side-by-side in this outrageous plot.

The Marriotts Ridge High School Theatre Department will present its rendition of "Arsenic and Old Lace" Thursday, Nov. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. In keeping with Marriotts Ridge tradition, the National Art Honor Society will sponsor a formal tea before the matinee, at 1:30 p.m. All tea patrons will receive a handmade teacup to take home.

Show tickets cost $12, and tea tickets cost $10. They can be purchased one of three ways — at school during lunch shifts (10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.) the week of Nov. 18, online at http://www.seatyourself.biz, or at the door. To learn more, go to http://www.mrhstheatre.org, or call 410-313-5568.

Lynne Quinn would like to spread the word that St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is holding its next community feast a week early — on Thursday, Nov. 21 — because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Don't worry about turkey overload, for this month's menu features Mexican cuisine donated by Smokin' Hot Bar & Grille.

Come out between 6 and 8 p.m. and grab a plate, or fill a carryout container to go. The cost is $9 per person or $30 maximum per family; kids five and under dine for free. Proceeds will benefit El Hogar orphanage in Honduras (www.elhogar.org).

The church is at 2892 Route 97, between Union Chapel Road and the Glenwood Post Office. For more information, email lynnequinn@comcast.net, or call 410-442-5445.

Last call for tickets to the St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Benefit Bull and Oyster Roast on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m.! The Knights of Columbus Council 13294 hosts this annual event in support of a variety of local and global charities. Food will be served until 10:30 p.m. and beverages until 11:30 p.m., with music and dancing all evening.

The $45 cost covers all-you-can-eat pit beef, ham and turkey breast; pulled pork; Maryland crab soup and oysters - both raw and fried; macaroni salad with shrimp; garden salad; coleslaw; potato salad; mashed potatoes with gravy; fresh green beans; and sheet cake for dessert. Beverages include beer, wine, coffee and soda.

To order tickets, contact Ed Pelsinsky at 410-313-8808 or epelsinsky1@verizon.net.