Arsenic and Old Lace
by Gaslight Baker Theatre
Jan. 17 - Jan. 18
Arsenic and Old Lace is a dark comedy about Mortimer Brewster, who discovers his sweet elderly aunts have been secretly poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the basement. Chaos erupts as Mortimer tries to cover up their crimes, fend off his criminal brother Jonathan, and manage his eccentric family—all while planning his wedding. Full of laughs and mayhem, it’s a hilarious tale of murder and madness.
Gaslight Baker Theare, Lockhart;
Audition Dates
Friday, Jan 17, 2025 7 pm
Saturday, Jan 18, 7 pm
Monday, Jan 20 , 7 pm (callbacks, if necessary)auditions January 17 & 18, 2025
To Schedule an Audition, sign up at mygbt.org/auditions
For More Information
https://arsenicatthebaker.wordpress.com/
ROLE CONSIDERATIONS: The director plans to cast as traditionally as possible and minding the time period the play is set in as well. Ages noted below are suggestive and if an actor can play the part, they will be considered. Additionally, the parts noted with physicality need to be able to BE PHYSICAL in the role both acting and minor fight choreography. Audition turnout will decide whether we cast any “trouser roles” or if we use doubling.
WOMEN
Abby Brewster (50-70 years old or able to Play age) A darling lady, and the very model of Victorian charm and grace, who poisons elderlygentlemen, with her sister as an act of charity. She and her sister Martha seem to bethe absolute embodiment of the values and polite society of a bygone age. Moredominant, and a bit older than Martha, both ladies are happy, healthy, lucid, andspry. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Martha Brewster (50-70 years old or able to Play age) Very sweet, but more submissive than Abby, Martha still is a strong woman. She and her sister have livedtogether for many, many years. Their personalities and pecking order around eachother have been firmly rooted for eons. Always wears a high collar. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Elaine Harper (25-40 years old or able to Play age) 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, sassy, and absolutely sharp (Actor seeking this role will need to show high energy and a love of life. She will also need to display a wonderful sense of versatility.) We witness Elaine progress from casual happiness, to utter bliss, to twisted confusion, to stark fear, to godsent relief, and back to casual happiness again.
MEN
Mortimer Brewster (30-50 years old or able to Play age) Nephew of Abby and
Martha, brother to both Teddy and Jonathan Brewster. A very likable, Mortimer is a drama critic who is in love with, & engaged to Elaine Harper. A good-hearted cynic who is about to have his world turned upside down. PHYSICAL ROLE.
Special Note: The actor who plays this role must be comfortable to utterly“LET GO.” Mortimer controls the show. From the discovery of the first body, Mortimer must be electrified. He carries that energy all the way through the show. Physical comedy, perfection of timing in dialog delivery, likability in presence, and an ability to display agility in navigating the rapidly changing circumstances of each scene, absolutely necessary.
Teddy Brewster (40-60 years old or able to Play age) Very likable, 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 is necessary while charging up a flight of stairs and screaming “CHARGE!” PHYSICAL ROLE.
Jonathan Brewster (35-60 years old or able to Play age) Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, brother to Teddy and Mortimer. Jonathan is a psychopath who has numerous murders to his credit and no scruples whatsoever. He is creepy. Jonathan is a killer, that loves his business and he’s got an unbelievably short temper. Dr. Einstein has changed Jonathan’s face three times, currently resulting in a Boris Karloff resemblance (to which he is a bit sensitive.) Some PHYSICAL work.
Dr. Einstein (35-65 years old or able to Play age) A German plastic surgeon, with an accent to prove it. Right hand to Jonathan, Dr. Einstein is mousey and submissive to Jonathan. Einstein should be viewed as a good guy whose life has gone bad. The audience truly has to sympathize with this guy. With somewhat of a ratty appearance, his face wears the benevolent smirk of a man who lives in a pleasant haze of alcohol.
The Reverend Dr. Harper (50-70 years old or able to Play age) (Cameo) We only see Elaine Harper’s father in the opening scene; a doctor of divinity, and the minister to the church next door to the Brewster house. The Brewster sisters have seen many ministers come and go over the years, but they seem to be particularly fond of Dr. Harper and vice versa. The actor portraying Dr. Harper should display a sense of polish, refinement, and mild mannered sensitivity towards others. He is not in favor of Mortimer and Elaine’s relationship.
Officer Brophy (25-45 years old or able to Play age) (Cameo) The first police officer we meet in the show, Brophy is a thoroughly likable sort of fellow. Is making his rounds collecting Christmas toys for the needy. Some PHYSICAL work.
Officer Klein (25-45 years old or able to Play age) (Cameo) A flatfoot Brooklyn officer who makes his rounds with Officer Brophy collecting Christmas toys.
Officer O’Hara (any age) (Cameo) He is the quintessential example of an Irish-American police officer: Full of life, good natured and played big. He is on very good terms with the Aunts. O’Hara is a would-be playwright, and needs to plainly display the nagging, persistent drive that’s kindled within him once he discovers that Mortimer is a famous dramatic critic. Well-intentioned, O’Hara really doesn’t mean to come across as annoying as he does.
Mr. Gibbs (55-80 years old or able to Play age) (Cameo) An elderly gentleman who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters; and nearly falls victim to the sisters “charity”. He is a little gruff, but he warms up fairly quickly upon being offered a treat he hasn’t had since he was a child.
Lieutenant Rooney (50’s years old or able to Play age) (Cameo) The man in charge at the local police precinct. Very early in the show we gain a pretty strong understanding of the caliber of men he has to manage under his watch. As such, he has very little patience for blunder and mistakes, and needs to run a pretty tight ship. He is loud, decisive, and clearly in-charge of every situation in which he finds himself.
Mr. Witherspoon (50-60s years old or able to Play age) (Cameo) The superintendentof Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild mannered and kind.
Audition Requirements
Cold reading
Improv
Optional Prepared Monologue 60-90 seconds
For More INFO: arsenicatthebaker@gmail.com
Production Dates
March 28 - April 13, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Audition Instructions
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and improv. Monologues are optional and should not exceed 90 seconds.
