Director: Steve Nolls

Show Dates: March 14-22, 2025

A classic black-comedy about a lifelong bachelor who is finally getting married, but discovers on his wedding day his elderly aunts have a hobby: poisoning old men and burying them in the basement, with the help of Uncle Teddy (who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt). What will his new wife think of her in-laws! A madcap comedy for all ages, but with a dash of Arsenic.

casting details

All roles available and open to any race. Ages in listings is their on-stage appearance, not the age of the actor to be cast. This is a fast paced, dialogue heavy script, so comic timing is a must. Actors will do an improv exercise and then read from script.

The play is set in 1940 in Brooklyn, NY.

Mortimer Brewster (25-40, lead role, heavy physical comedy skills). Nephew of Abby and Martha, Mortimer is a drama critic who is engaged to Elaine; he is a nice man who cares for his aunts.

Abby Brewster (50-70, lead role). A darling spinster lady who poisons elderly men; Abby is the sister of Martha and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

Martha Brewster (50-70, lead role). A sweet elderly woman with Victorian charm who poisons elderly men, Martha is the sister of Abby and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

Teddy Brewster (40-50, large supporting role, physical comedy skills). Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy plays the bugle (badly) and thinks that he is President Theodore Roosevelt.

Elaine Harper. (25-40, will match age of Mortimer, supporting role). A spunky woman and Mortimer’s fiancee, Elaine is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Harper; she is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister's daughter.

Jonathan Brewster (30-40, large supporting role). The villain of the show. Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Jonathan is a psychopath who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff.

Dr Einstein (40-60, large supporting role). A plastic surgeon and an alcoholic "doctor", Dr. Einstein has changed Jonathan's face three times. May use a bad German accent.

Officer O'Hara (30+, supporting role). A police officer, O’Hara is a would-be playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play.

Rev. Doctor Harper (50+, single scene). Minister who lives next to the cemetary, and father of Elaine.

Mr Gibbs (any age, single scene). A man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.

Lt Rooney (50+, single scene). A tough and dominating police officer.

Mr Witherspoon (40+, single scene). Owner of Happy Dale Sanatorium.

Officer Brophy & Officer Kline. (any age, may double with other single scene roles). Beat cops.

Contact director Steve Noll (sdnoll@yahoo.com) with questions.