Auditions will be held for our February play, Arsenic and Old Lace, directed by Amanda Baker, on Saturday, December 16th from 10:00-12:00 and Sunday, December 17th from 6:00-7:30, both at OLT.
If you cannot make either of these days, please text Amanda at 479-469-3741 and schedule an audition time (BEFORE December 17th.)
The play will run for two weekends in February.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Abby Brewster (Female 50-70 years old or able to Play age or able to Play age) A darling lady, and the
very model of Victorian charm and grace, who poisons elderly gentlemen, with her sister as an act of
charity. She and her sister Martha seem to be the absolute embodiment of the values and polite society of
a bygone age. More dominant, and a bit older than Martha, both ladies are happy, healthy, lucid, and spry.
The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Martha Brewster (Female 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 lived together for many, many years. Their
personalities and pecking order around each other have been firmly rooted for eons. Always wears a
high collar. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Elaine Harper (Female 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
genuine zest and spunk. 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 godsend relief, and
back to casual happiness again.
Mortimer Brewster (Male 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 (40-60 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 (45-55 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 superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild mannered and kind.