AUDITION INFO
Arsenic and Old Lace
By Joseph Kesselring
Arsenic and Old Lace Synopsis
THE STORY: Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunt’s window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between 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—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding. Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
Presented by Calliope Muses and Directed by Tony Junor
Character Descriptions:
Mortimer Brewster:
A man of sound thinking, using logic even when there is none. Well dressed. Average height. Good looking. He is one main characters of the play. He is the nephew of Abby and Martha. Mortimer is the only Brewster who is relatively sane. Has good comic timing, both verbally and physically.
Genders: Male
Age 25 - 30s
Abby Brewster:
Darling elderly small lady. She is the sister of Martha Brewster. She is almost identical to that sister. She is also a matron aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer. She needs to be able to come across as a sweet and unassuming lady. Very Victorian in manners and thoughts. Sincere in her speech and actions
Genders: Female
Appears to be 60+
Martha Brewster:
Darling elderly small lady. She is the sister of Abby Brewster. She is almost identical to her sister. Very Victorian in manners and thoughts. She is also a matron aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer. She needs to be able to come across as a sweet and unassuming lady. Sincere in her speech and actions
Genders: Female
Appears to be 60+
Jonathan Brewster:
Nephew of Abby and Martha, and Mortimer’s brother. A wanted serial killer who is running from the law. Jonathan is a psychopath who has had botched plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff. It needs to exude evil and create unnerving and chilling moments in the play. Written as tall and imposing, but the character is more important than the physical attributes.
Genders: Male
Ages: 30s/40s (but could look older due to the plastic surgery).
Dr Einstein :
A failed alcoholic, plastic surgeon. He speaks with a heavy German or European accent. Strong comic timing. He is small in stature. He must be meek in demeanor and voice.
Genders: Male
Ages: 30-50
Elaine Harper:
An attractive sweet young lady. Who knows what she wants? She is of medium height. A woman of modern times. Hair colour is unimportant but will be put into a hairstyle for the period of the daughter of Rev. Harper. She is in love with Mortimer. She will not be talked out of their engagement. She is a strong independent woman.
Genders: Female
Ages: 20-30
Teddy Brewster:
Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster. He bears a striking resemblance to Theodore Roosevelt and believes himself to be Theodore Roosevelt. Quite a lot of charging up and down stairs involved and has an over-the-top personality. No previous bugle-playing experience is necessary!
Genders: Male
Ages: 40-55
Officer Brophy :
Brophy is a Police officer of average height and weight. Officer Brophy’s regular beat is to stop and visit the Brewster home for tea and cookies.
Genders: Male
Ages: 30-40
Officer Klein:
Klein is a Police officer of average height and weight. He is one of the officers who regularly visits the Brewster home for tea and cookies.
Genders: Male
Ages: 30-40,
Rev Harper:
Kindly and conservative Minister and father of Elaine, Mortimer’s bride-to-be. He must look similar to his daughter. He is greying from long nights and days preparing sermons.
Genders: Male
Ages: 50-65
Officer O’Hara:
He is of average height and weight. A police officer, and would-be playwright. He tends to be not very observant of what goes on around him. Strong comic character.
Genders: Male
Ages: 40-55
Mr. Witherspoon:
The elderly superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. He is upright and kind. Takes his job seriously.
Genders: Male
Ages: 55-65
Lieutenant Rooney:
The Lieutenant is a large man. A tough and dominating police officer. He does not tolerate nonsense.
Genders: Male
Ages: 55-65
To Mr. Gibbs:
A bitter old man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters. He is a disheveled-looking man who cares little about his appearance.
Genders: Male
Ages: 55-65
On stage: July 18-27, 2025 at the Erindale Theatre, UTM
Are you interested in being a part of this? Try-outs will be held on
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, at 1:30 pm - 4 pm.
and Saturday, March 1st, 2025, at 1:30 pm - 4 pm.
at
Deerfield Hall, U of T Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga.
If you are unable to make these times please send a message to our email address.