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Overview

Synopsis

Mortimer Brewster is living a happy life: he has a steady job at a prominent New York newspaper, he’s just become engaged, and he gets to visit his sweet spinster aunts to announce the engagement. Mortimer always knew that his family had a bit of a mad gene -- his brother believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt and his great-grandfather used to scalp Indians for pleasure -- but his world is turned upside down when he realizes that his dear aunts have been poisoning lonely old men for years! When Mortimer’s maniacal brother, Jonathan. (who strangely now resembles Boris Karloff) returns on the night that the aunts were planning to bury the newest victim, Mortimer must rally to help his aunts and protect his fiancé -- all while trying to keep his own sanity. as well. An uproarious farce on plays involving murder, Arsenic and Old Lace has become a favorite amongst regional theatres throughout America.

Show Information

Text And Format
Joseph Kesselring
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1941
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Unit/Single Set, Contemporary
Time & Place
a house in brooklyn, 1940’s
Cast Size
medium
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Abby Brewster

Lead

Female

Martha Brewster

Lead

Female

Mortimer Brewster

Lead

Male

Teddy Brewster

Supporting

Male

Officer O’Hara

Supporting

Male

Jonathan Brewster

Supporting

Male

Dr. Einstein

Supporting

Male

Elaine Harper

Supporting

Female

Dr. Reverend Harper

Featured

Male

Mr. Witherspoon

Featured

Male

Lieutenant Rooney

Featured

Male

Officer Brophy

Featured

Male

Officer Klein

Featured

Male

Mr. Gibbs

Featured

Male

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress