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AUDITIONS

Sunday, November  3, 7pm

Monday, November 4, 7pm
 

Possible Call backs

Tuesday, November 5, 7pm
Due to the production week of our current show, auditions on Monday and Tuesday will be held upstairs at the same location.  Please try to be as quiet as possible when downstairs due to rehearsals in progress

 

​Location

Westminster Community Playhouse

7272 Maple Street, Westminster CA 92683 

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Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Headshot and resume are appreciated. Audition Form.  All roles are open. Sides for each character can be found at Arsenic and Old Lace Sides. Actors may also be asked to read additional material from the script. Please email Greg at gstokes103@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

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PERFORMANCE DATES: 

January 10 - 26 , 2025

(Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm;

Sundays at 2 pm)

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Rehearsals will begin November 7th for a read through.  Regular rehearsals will be on M-Th starting at 7 p.m.  Due to the holidays during rehearsals, the weeks will be altered. Conflicts can be worked around.  Auditions are a week earlier than usual because there will be no rehearsals on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24-26, 31 or Jan.1.  Please be sure to list all conflicts. There is no pay. Schedule subject to change. 
AAOL Rehearsal Schedule.

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All roles are open to all ethnicities.  Age ranges noted are a guideline; the noted age is the perceived age for the role, not the desired perceived age for the role. All actors are encouraged to read for any roles they feel they are a fit for, regardless of the listed age range.

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Synopsis

Mortimer Brewster, is a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, murderous family and local police in Brooklyn, New York, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. His family includes two spinster aunts (who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them ), a brother who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt; and a murderous brother who has received plastic surgery to conceal his identity.

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ABOUT THE SHOW

It’s 1941 and life is good for New York drama critic Mortimer Brewster. While visiting his kindly spinster aunts in their quiet Brooklyn neighborhood, he has fallen in love with the minister’s daughter from the church next door and has just become engaged to be married. Sure, his older brother is convinced that he is Teddy Roosevelt, but other than that, all is well for the Brewster family. However, over the course of one long night, Mortimer discovers that his aunts have been keeping secrets from him, and some of those secrets are buried in the cellar. On the same evening his psychotic oldest brother, who bears a grudge against Mortimer, decides to return home to hide from a police manhunt. While trying to protect his aunts FROM the law, turn his older brother IN TO the law, and avoid a Brooklyn cop who is an over-enthusiastic aspiring playwright, Mortimer must decide whether getting married and continuing the Brewster line of lunatics is the responsible thing to do to his fiancée and to the world! Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
 

THE ROLES

 

Mortimer Brewster - Age Range: Late 20s – early 40s

A New York theater critic, Mortimer is urbane, witty, and thinks he is in control of his life. He becomes increasingly unglued as he gradually discovers his family’s dark secrets. Excellent at physical comedy.

 

Abby Brewster - Age Range: 60s+

Mortimer’s aunt, she is sweet and kindly, but a bit bossier than her sister Martha. She is very concerned with not having her tea things cleared away on time but has no problem with concealing a dead body in her window seat.

 

Martha Brewster - Age Range: 60s+

Mortimer’s aunt, sweet and kindly, but a bit more timid than her sister Abby. She is justly proud of her home cooking, and of her ability to conceal the taste of multiple poisons in her elderberry wine.

 

Jonathan Brewster - Age Range: 40s+

The true psychotic in the family, Jonathan bears a murderous grudge against most of the world, especially his brother Mortimer. This is not helped by botched plastic surgery that makes him resemble Boris Karloff at his most ghoulish. Should be able to present as truly threatening, but also have a sense of comedic timing.

 

Dr. Einstein - Age Range: 40 – 60

Jonathan’s accomplice, a self-taught plastic surgeon masquerading as a doctor, using the name of the famous physicist. Speaks with a German accent and enjoys a drink (or ten). Einstein is a bit squeamish about Jonathan’s brutality, but will always support him in the end, partially out of fear. Comic character actor.

 

Elaine Harper - Age Range: 20s – Mid 30s

A smart and self-assured young woman, Elaine is Mortimer’s equal in witty repartee and is in love with him. She becomes increasingly frustrated by his bizarre behavior but is determined to uncover its cause. A confident love interest in the screwball comedy mold.

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Teddy Brewster - Age Range: 40s+

Mortimer's brother; a childlike, fun-loving, boisterous man who has decided to live his best life as Teddy Roosevelt. Interacts with his family and the world following his own set of rules. Requires a vivid, charming character actor with a loud audible and physical presence.

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Officer O’Hara - Age Range: 20s+

An enthusiastic and charming Brooklyn cop who comes from a barnstorming theatrical family; Officer O’Hara is also an aspiring playwright and is excited to share the plot of their lurid melodrama with theater critic Mortimer Brewster. An energetic physical comic actor. Possible Irish accent but not required. 
 

Officer Brophy - Age Range: 20s+

A kindly police officer in Brooklyn in a gentler time. Friend and admirer of the Brewster sisters and partner of Officer Klein.

 

Officer Klein - Age Range: 20s+

Partner of Officer Brophy; a bit rougher around the edges and not quite as smart. A bit of a slacker on the force. Friends with and very protective of the Brewster sisters.

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Reverend Dr. Harper (Will also play Mr. Witherspoon or Lieutenant  Rooney)

Age Range: 40 – 60

Elaine’s father, neighbor of the Brewster family and minister at the local church. Dr. Harper is gentle, refined, and longs for a simpler time. He is devoted to the Brewster sisters, but a bit apprehensive about his daughter’s relationship with their nephew Mortimer.

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Mr. Gibbs (Will also play Mr. Witherspoon or Lieutenant  Rooney) - Age Range: 50s+

A brusque, unsentimental older gentleman who comes to the Brewster house looking for a room to rent. The actor needs to go from crusty old man to comically terrified when he unexpectedly encounters an unhinged Mortimer.

 

Lieutenant Rooney (Will also play Dr. Harper or Mr. Gibbs) - Age Range: 40s+

The head of the local police precinct, Lt. Rooney is a commanding man with a short temper. He is gruff, impatient, loud, and does not suffer fools gladly, especially the officers who report to him. Possible Irish accent but not required. 

 

Mr. Witherspoon (Will also play Dr. Harper or Mr. Gibbs) - Age Range: 50s+

Superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium, and patient in a coolly observant manner. Witherspoon makes a point of avoiding any kind of personal friendship with any of the patients under his care.