Anthony Monteleone

See My Resume!

Arsenic And Old Lace

By Joseph Kesselring

Cast

Abby Brewster: Iris Widlansky

Martha Brewster: Caitlyn Myers

Mortimer Brewster: Tobias Sanders

Teddy Brewster: Noah Trapp

Jonathan Brewster: Tyler Radze

Dr. Einstein: Jack Williams

Elaine Harper: Madeline Vintimilla

Officer O’Hara: Olivia Welch

Officer Brophy: Kyan Camarillo

Officer Klein/Mr. Gibbs: Karam Mawazini

Lieutenant Rooney: Kenna Kline

Reverend Harper/Mr. Witherspoon: Sorine Andronic

Vision

Arsenic and Old Lace exists as a fascinating time capsule; capturing the attitudes and hallmarks of pre-World War II America. By all accounts, a play that relies so heavily on references to famous figures and events of the time, whether that be Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, or Boris Karloff, should not age as well as this one has, and we can only hope these cultural icons remain relevant enough to maintain Arsenic and Old Lace’s relevance in turn.

Yet Arsenic and Old Lace’s popularity cannot be only attested as a companion piece to the relevance of the figures within, rather Arsenic and Old Lace performs time and time again due to its wit and prevalence for the macabre, oftentimes sharing the two in a singular breath. Jonathan Brewster remains with audiences not due to his proximity to Boris Karloff, but in the manner in which the character jumps from wit to creepy manipulation to tour de force of nature. Aunt Abby and Martha survive as icons through their duality, turning a stereotype that has existed since time immemorial on its head.

It is through a similar duality that Mortimer Brewster lives on. He is the only sane man in this piece, yet the extraordinary circumstances of Arsenic and Old Lace paint him as the most insane of all.

It is the duality of farce and horror, charm and abuse, sanity and insanity, that brings audiences coming back to this piece over and over again, and once Roosevelt, Einstein, and Karloff are long forgotten from public consciousness, it is my hope that it is through this play that they are rediscovered.

Production

Director: Anthony Monteleone

Stage Manager: Kate Shaffer

Asst. Stage Manager: Emma Jestila

Design

Scenic Design: Bee Neuhouser

Props Artisan: Jay Means

Costume Design: Emily Rosolowski

Sound Design: Ben Barber

Lighting Design: Cameron Rost

Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster and Tyler Radze as Jonathan Brewster sitting on a trunk/window seat

Testimonials

“Thank you for making this such a good experience.”

– Madeline Vintimilla; Actor

“5 Stars – the New York Times”

– Tyler Radze; Actor

“I’m Mr. Gibbs.”

– Karam Mawazini; Actor

Notes

Performed April 2024

Produced By Second Stage Productions

Photos By Second Stage Productions

Olivia Welch as Officer O'Hara telling a story to a tied up Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
First day of rehearsal of Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster and Tyler Radze as Jonathan Brewster sitting on a window seat with Iris Widlansky as Abby Brewster and Caitlyn Myers as Martha Brewster in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Noah Trapp as Teddy Brewster, Caitlyn Myers as Martha Brewster, Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster, and Iris Widlansky as Abby Brewster
Rehearsal picture of Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster tied up with Tyler Radze as Jonathan Brewster and Jack Myers as Dr. Einstein in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Noah Trapp as Teddy Brewster with his foot on table in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Promotional picture for Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster, Iris Widlansky as Abby Brewster, Tyler Radze as Jonathan Brewster, Caitlyn Myers as Martha Brewster, and Noat Trapp as Teddy Brewster
Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster being tied up with Jack Williams as Dr. Einstein and Tyler Radze as Jonathan Brewster in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace" in creepy lighting
Iris Widlansky as Abby Brewster and Caitlyn Myers as Jonathan Brewster watching Sorine Andronic as Mr. Witherspoon drink poisoned wine in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace" under purple lighting
Tobias Sanders as Mortimer Brewster and Tyler Radze as Jonathan Brewster sitting sitting on a trunk/window seat in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
First day of rehearsal of Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Sorine Andronic as Mr. Witherspoon holding a box with Noah Trapp as Teddy Brewster and Iris Widlansky as Abby Brewster in Second Stage Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace"