Auditions

Arsenic and Old Lace

Auditions

• Sunday, February 26 @ 6pm
• Monday, February 27 @ 7pm

Callbacks

• Wednesday, February 29 @ 7pm

The show runs from April 26 through May 12, 2012. Rehearsals will be held on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday nights. Head shots and resumes are not required, but may be submitted if available.

Synopsis

1941, Brooklyn, N.Y. Mortimer Brewster is finally getting hitched to Elaine Harper, the girl next door. Mortimer stops in to deliver the news to his aunts, two sweet little old ladies who donate toys to charity and care for their nephew Teddy, a bugle blowing nut-bag who thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt. But Abby and Martha aren’t as sweet and innocent as they seem. Mortimer’s dear old aunties have a dozen bodies buried in the basement. It seems the Brewster sisters are luring lonely old men into their home and serving them Elderberry Wine laced with a teaspoonful of arsenic, a teaspoonful of strychnine, and just a pinch of cyanide. To make matters worse, Mortimer’s deranged brother Jonathan shows up. Jonathan, on the run from the law, has a dead body in the trunk of his car, a drunken plastic surgeon at his side, and a face that looks like Boris Karloff. Mortimer frantically attempts to deal with dead bodies, insane asylum directors, attempted murders, and a new bride all in one crazy Halloween night.

Characters

All roles are available.

• Mortimer Brewster (late 20′s to late 30′s): The slightly neurotic nephew to Abby and Martha Brewster. He is a drama critic, sardonic, aloof, brilliant comic timing.
• Elaine Harper (mid 20′s to mid 30′s): Mortimer’s pretty, independent girlfriend. The daughter of the Rev. Dr. Harper.
• Abby Brewster (50′s & up): One of the two sweet, but insane Brewster aunts who believes murdering lonely old men to be an act of charity. Has Victorian manners and values.
• Martha Brewster ( 50′s & up): The other sweet, but, insane Brewster aunt who serves as Abby’s partner in crime. Has Victorian charm.
• Jonathan Brewster (40′s & up): Mortimer’s evil, maniac brother, who, because of numerous plastic surgeries, bears a striking resemblance to Boris Karloff.
• Dr. Einstein (male, 40′s & up): Jonathan’s partner in crime. Plastic Surgeon. Somewhat ratty in appearance. Lives in a pleasant haze of alcohol.
• Teddy Brewster (male, late 30′s to mid 40′s): The kindhearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathan, who honestly believes he is President Theodore Roosevelt.
• Officer Brophy and Officer Klein (male, 30′s & up): Officers who make their rounds collecting Christmas toys, and aid Mortimer in his fight against Jonathan. Fond of Teddy.
• Officer O’Hara (male, late 20′s & up): The determined police officer who is also an aspiring playwright, loud, overbearing, funny.
• Lieutenant Rooney (male, early 40′s & up): A police officer who aids Mortimer in his fight against Jonathan; your typical alpha cop; precinct boss.
• Reverend Dr. Harper (50′s & up): Father to Elaine Harper; The minister who runs the church next door to the Brewster house.
• Mr. Gibbs (50′s & up): A lonely little old man who nearly falls victim to the aunts’ charity.
• Mr. Whitherspoon (male, 40′s & up): The caretaker of Happy Dale Sanitarium. May possibly consider this role for a female.

If you have questions, please e-mail the Director, Jeanne Gold, at TeaJunkie@comcast.net or the Producer, Juliann Pomykacz at cwdancerjp@yahoo.com.

Auditions email list

Haddonfield Plays and Players is an outlet for local actors, directors and other artists. Auditions for all our shows are open to the general public. We are also always looking for local directors, musicians, designers, choreographers and other artists looking for an outlet for their talents.

Dates, times, and requirements for auditons are subject to change, so please check back closer to the audition dates for updated information.