THE STORY
Joseph Kesselring's classic farce, "Arsenic and Old Lace," is a macabre tale of two
charming and innocent ladies, Abby and Martha Brewster, who populate their cellar with the bodies of lonely old
men whom they have "helped find peace." They are surrounded by their nephews: Teddy, who thinks he is Teddy
Roosevelt, Mortimer, the manic theatre critic, and Jonathan, the mad killer with the face of Boris Karloff.
Mortimer must deal with his crazy family and local police as he debates whether to go through with marrying
the girl next door, Elaine.
Characters:
Abby Brewster - A charming elderly woman, the younger of the two Brewster sisters. Although Abby is the youngest, she is undoubtedly the strongest and matriarch of the family.
Martha Brewster - An equally charming elderly woman, Martha looks up to her little sister and trusts that she wouldn't lead her astray.
Mortimer Brewster - Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, early 30's. Mortimer is attracted to Elaine, the minister's daughter, who lives next door.
Teddy Brewster - Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster; Teddy thinks he is President Roosevelt. In fact, he's sure of it.
Jonathan Brewster - Devious brother to Mortimer and Teddy Brewster, nephew to Abby and Martha.
Elaine Harper - The young, single woman who lives next door, daughter to a minister, smitten with the "man of the world" writer next door.
Dr Einstein - Friend and accomplice to Jonathan.
Officer Klein - Not a brilliant police officer.
Reverend Dr Harper - A middle-aged widower who is raising a daughter as a single parent. He is a minister who lives next door to the Brewsters.
Officer Brophy - Police officer, nosy by nature.
Mr Gibbs - Crotchety, possibly foreign bachelor.
Officer O'Hara - Enthusiastic, clueless police officer.
Lieutenant Rooney - Loud, commanding police officer.
Mr Witherspoon - Superintendent of a nut house.
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