Arsenic and Old Lace

Abby and Martha Brewster, two sweet, silver-haired spinster aunts, practice the kindest form of charity: elderberry wine laced with arsenic for lonely old gentlemen. Their fast-talking theater-critic nephew Mortimer uncovers the macabre family secret amid his whirlwind engagement. Add a brother channeling Teddy Roosevelt and a Boris Karloff-lookalike criminal, and the farce bursts into pandemonium—as the cellar stacks up with bodies. A timeless hit, Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic dark comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.

Rehearsals will begin at the last week of June, 2026. The rehearsal schedule will be provided at the first rehearsal based on performer availability.

The production runs August 14th – September 6th, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. No conflicts with performance dates will be permitted.

All performers are guaranteed a $100 honorarium to cover the costs of transportation for rehearsals plus a $15 honorarium per performance. Note that this is strictly a non-union production.

Auditions will be held on May 31st and June 1st from 6-8pm. Please prepare a 1-2 minute comedic monologue. If you are unable to attend auditions in person, please submit your recorded audition virtually to audition@coronadoplayhouse.com by June 2nd at 11:59pm.

To be considered, please submit this form:

The audition form collects your personal information — including any known conflicts with the rehearsal dates. Only the director and members of the creative team will have access to your submission materials.

Callbacks will be held on Thursday, June 4th from 6-9pm. Come dressed comfortably. Auditions and callbacks will be held at Coronado Playhouse and/or Coronado Recreation Center. Location: 1835 Strand Way Coronado CA 92118.

If you have any questions not answered in this announcement please email blaskovichdirect@gmail.com with the subject line “Arsenic and Old Lace”.

Coronado Playhouse is committed to inclusivity, and encourages ALL members of our community to submit, particularly members of communities who have historically been excluded or underrepresented — including but not limited to artists of color, Native American and Indigenous artists, women, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists with disabilities.

We are looking for strong, collaborative actors. All roles are open to actors of all gender identities and expressions. All roles are for adults, 18+. The ages listed below in the character descriptions are the characters’ ages and not necessarily the age of the actor playing them. Some roles might be double-cast, or played outside the written gender.

Abby Brewster (Female-presenting, 50-70 years old) 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-presenting, 50-70 years old) 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-presenting, 25-40 years old) 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.

Mortimer Brewster (Male-presenting, 25-45 years old) Nephew of Abby and Martha, brother to both Teddy and Jonathan Brewster. 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.” 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 are absolutely necessary.

Teddy Brewster (Male-presenting, 40-60 years old) 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) 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, who 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 (35-55 years old) 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) (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 (20-45 years old) (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 (20-45 years old) (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) (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 (any 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 (30-60s years old) (Cameo) The superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild mannered and kind.