Professional Casting for "Arsenic and Old Lace" Production

Nephew of Abby and Martha, brother to both Teddy and Jonathan Brewster. Physical Role: From the discovery of the first body, Mortimer must be electrified. He carries that energy all the way through the show. Physical comedy, the perfection of timing in dialog delivery, likability in presence, and an ability to display agility in navigating the rapidly changing circumstances of each scene, is absolutely necessary. Intimacy requirement, kissing and hugging with Elaine.

Eldest of the sisters; Kind, sympathetic, more direct. A darling lady, and the very model of Victorian charm and grace, who poisons elderly gentlemen, with her sister as an act of charity. She and her sister Martha seem to be the absolute embodiment of the values and polite society of a bygone age. More dominant, and a bit older than Martha, both ladies are happy, healthy, lucid, and spry.

Sweet, caring, with a bit of flightiness. but more submissive than Abby, Martha still is a strong woman and not afraid to speak her mind. She and her sister have lived together for many, many years. Their personalities and pecking order around each other have been firmly rooted for eons. Always wears a high collar.

Likable, strong-willed, and kindhearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathan, Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy is a man who believes that he is the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Extreme dedication and energy are necessary as this is a Physical Role. Must have energy and be physically able to run up a flight of stairs multiple times during each performance.

Sinister, creepy, the long-lost nephew of Abby and Martha, Jonathan has returned home after a botched operation by Dr. Einstein. He now has a passing resemblance to Boris Karloff, to which he is a bit sensitive. Jonathan is a killer, with an international resume for a murder that loves his business. He’s a psychopath with an unbelievably short temper. Physical Role will have some fight choreography.

German, meek, and submissive, Jonathan’s sidekick has a sense of right & wrong. He is an excellent plastic surgeon but should be viewed as a good guy whose life has gone bad. The audience truly must sympathize with this him. With somewhat of a ratty appearance, his face wears the benevolent smirk of a man who lives in a pleasant state of inebriation. Speaks with a German accent and must have a great comedic sense.

Old fashioned, kind, and conservative minister of the church next door to the Brewsters. He is not a fan of Mortimer’s relationship with his daughter, Elaine. The actor portraying Dr. Harper should display a sense of polish, refinement, and mild-mannered sensitivity toward others. Only appears in the first scene of the play, possibly doubled with another character.

An attractive girl, daughter of Rev. Dr. Harper, and Mortimer’s fiancée. She is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister’s daughter. She is a little bit wily, quick-witted, sassy, and absolutely sharp. (Actor seeking this role will need to show genuine zest and spunk. We witness Elaine progress from casual happiness, to utter bliss, to twisted confusion, to stark fear, to godsend relief, and back to casual happiness again. Intimacy requirement, kissing and hugging with Mortimer.

Brophy is a friendly and kind police officer who frequently visits the Brewster sisters. Will have one scene with fight choreography.

A decent cop who is partnered with Officer Brophy. Will have one scene with fight choreography.

He/she is a good-natured police officer: full of life and on very good terms with the Aunts. O’Hara is a would-be playwright and not-so-good at either job. He/she needs to plainly display the persistent drive that’s kindled within him/her once Mortimer’s dramatic critic credentials are revealed. Well-intentioned and played big, O’Hara really doesn’t mean to come across as annoying as he/she does.

The man in charge at the local police precinct. Very early in the show, we gain a strong understanding of the caliber of men he must manage under his watch. He has very little patience for blunders and mistakes and needs to run a tight ship. He is loud, decisive, and clearly in charge of every situation in which he finds himself.

An elderly gentleman who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters and nearly falls victim to the sister’s “charity”. He is a little gruff, but he warms up quickly upon being offered a treat he hasn’t had since he was a child. Only in one scene, possibly doubled.

He is the superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Gentlemanly and kind. Only in the last scene, possibly doubled.