Our adult play is Arsenic and Old Lace! The show is directed by Van Rockwell.

 

We will be casting one adult cast, for ages 16+. Performances and rehearsals will be live and in person at Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Dr. Suite #9, Phoenix, AZ 85085.  

Performances are Feb. 21-Mar. 2, 2025  

 

Audition Information:

• Please sign up for one 5-minute slot on Saturday, November 23 between 9am and 12pm.

• Sorry! Virtual auditions are not permitted.

• Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script. PDFs of audition sides are available for download on the sign-up page.

• Looking for performers with comedic timing, big facial expressions, humility, and a willingness to have fun.

• Bring a current headshot and resume.

• Bring a list of all conflicts for rehearsal; there will be no understudies if you are not available.

• Please fill out the audition form by clicking the blue button above.

• CALLBACKS by invitation will be in person on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 1-5pm 

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Rehearsals and Performances:

Rehearsals will be in person at Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Dr. Suite #9, Phoenix, AZ 85085.  A tentative rehearsal schedule is on the Starlight webpage calendar (https://www.starlightcommunitytheater.com/calendar).  

Rehearsals are scattered in December and most of January because of the holidays and rehearsal space availability. Once Legally Blonde opens, rehearsals will generally be Monday - Thursday with occasional Saturday and Sundays depending on cast availability. Expect longer rehearsals for Tech Week.

There will be no rehearsal on December 24 and 25, as well as December 30 and January 1, in observance of the holidays.

Rehearsals begin December 14, 2024 at 10am.  Performances are February 21-March 2, 2025. All shows are 7:00pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2:00pm for Saturday and Sunday matinees. Please do not audition if you cannot be at every performance. We are not using understudies.

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The Story:

Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police — not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage — it will be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding. Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.

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Casting:

Performers of ALL ethnicities, physical abilities, and gender identities are encouraged to audition. Unless specifically noted, all body types are welcome! All ages are “stage ages” and pliable.  

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Abby Brewster (F) (50-70) - 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.

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Martha Brewster (F) (50-70) - 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.

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Elaine Harper (F) (25-40) An attractive woman, 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 (Actress seeking this role will need to show genuine zest, spunk, and 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.

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Mortimer Brewster (M) (30-50) 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, and engaged to Elaine Harper. A good-hearted cynic who is about to have his world turned upside down. PHYSICAL ROLE. From the discovery of the first body, Mortimer must be electrified. He carries that energy all the way through the show. Must have physical comedy and an ability to display agility in navigating rapidly changing circumstances.

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Teddy Brewster (M) (40-60) Very likable, kindhearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathan, Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy believes that he is the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Extreme dedication and energy is necessary.

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Jonathan Brewster (M) (40-60) 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 (M) (45-55) A German plastic surgeon, with an accent to prove it. Right hand to Jonathan, Dr. Einstein is mousey and submissive to Jonathan. With somewhat of a ratty appearance, his face wears the benevolent smirk of a man who lives in a pleasant haze of alcohol.

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Reverend Dr. Harper (M) (50-70) Only 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. He is not in favor of Mortimer and Elaine’s relationship.

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Officer Brophy (M) (25-45) A thoroughly likable Police Officer who makes his rounds collecting Christmas toys for the needy. Some PHYSICAL work.

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Officer Klein (M) (25-45) A Brooklyn officer who makes his rounds with Officer Brophy collecting Christmas toys.

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Officer O’Hara (M) (Any age) The quintessential east coast police officer: Full of life, good natured, and played big. He is on very good terms with the Aunts. Well intentioned, O’Hara really doesn’t mean to come across as annoying as he does.

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Mr. Gibbs (M) (55-80) 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.

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Lieutenant Rooney (M) (50’s) The man in charge at the local police precinct. 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.

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Mr. Witherspoon (M) (50-60’s) The superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild mannered and kind.