"Arsenic and Old Lace" Stage Play Needs Men and Women
Auditions for "Arsenic and Old Lace" play. Seeking cast. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. See the roles below. About the project: Written by Joseph Kesselring. Between Mortimer Brewster’s hesitancy about marriage, his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police, it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his own wedding! ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is a classic dark comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family. Additional info: *Please note that ages are suggested. If an actor can play the part they will be considered. Some roles can be played by either by a man or a woman. Actors will do a cold read from the script. Please see the document attached for additional sign ups requirements. CALL BACKS (invitation only): Thursday January 16th, 2025, at 6:00 PM. REHEARSALS: Will be determined by the Cast’s schedule. Typically, they rehearse on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. There will be 1-3 Friday night and/or Saturday morning rehearsals closer to the performance. *Please note that, depending on the role, not everyone will be required to be at each rehearsal until they start running the entire show in March. TECH WEEK (MANDATORY): March 30th-April 1st, 2025. PERFORMANCES (MANDATORY): April 3rd and 4th 2025. April 4th will be a two-show day. One morning matinee performance for schools/public and the evening public performance. You MUST be available for each performance to be cast. If you are interested, please apply.
14 roles
(60s-70s or can play the part): An elderly woman seen as sweet and polite, she is the sister of Martha and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer. She believes wholeheartedly that she and her sister are helping these men find peace.
(60s-70s or can play the part): Abby’s sister Martha is the more submissive of the pair, but still a woman of her own with a wicked sense of humor. She believes wholeheartedly that she and her sister are helping these men find peace. Martha always wears a high collar.
The youngest brother of Teddy and Jonathan, Mortimer is considered the only “sane” person in the family. Mortimer works as a theatre critic and is deeply in love with his aunts’ neighbor, Elaine. Classically chivalrous and equally as foolish.
The minister’s daughter, but not like you would expect. Elaine is young, sharp, and a little bit sassy, displaying surprising wisdom throughout the play. A huge range of emotions makes her a thrilling character to play.
Teddy is the brother of Jonathan and Mortimer, and lives with his aunts Abby and Martha. A blissfully deluded man, he believes he is Theodore Roosevelt.
Jonathan is, quite simply, a sociopath, who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff. Jonathan exhibits a classic lack of empathy and a white-hot temper. Requires stage combat.
A German plastic surgeon, Dr. Einstein is Jonathan’s alcoholic doctor who has given Jonathan three face lifts to help him evade crime. While generally submissive to Jonathan, Dr. Einstein still knows how to manipulate Jonathan to get his way.
A kind and good-natured police officer, O’Hara has a passion for playwriting and pesters Mortimer to read his play. Requires stage combat.
Dr. Harper is a refined gentleman, a minister and neighbor to the Brewster sisters. He displays a clear fondness for Abby and Martha but is not so approving of their nephew Mortimer trying to date his daughter Elaine.
Pleasant neighborhood police officer who is doing the rounds collecting toys for children. Requires stage combat.
Officer Brophy’s police partner, Klein is also a kindly officer who has gotten to know the Brewster sisters. Requires stage combat.
The head of the local precinct, Lt. Rooney is a commanding man with a short temper. He is large and in-charge, unafraid to speak up and control any situation at hand.
Mr. Witherspoon is the mild-mannered superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium.
A gruff older man who comes to the Brewster home in search of lodging, who narrowly escapes getting poisoned by the sisters.
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