Rialto Community Players announces audtions for Arsenic and Old Lace, directed by Lisa Lanier, for July 11-12.

Auditions will be held at the Rialto Senior Center (one block SOUTH of Rialto Community Players) at 1411 South Riverside Avenue.  It is one mile north of the 10 freeway on the corner of Riverside Avenue and Senior Way.  Follow signs to the Arrowhead Room. If you have any questions regarding the auditions, you may contact the director, Lisa Lanier, at 951-259-8803.

Auditions (Cold reading only):
Tuesday, July 11th from 7pm to 9pm
Wednesday, July 12th 7pm to 8pm
Call backs - 8pm to 9pm

Production dates:
August 25th, 26th, September 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th @ 8pm
September 3rd, 10th and 17th @ 2pm

Synopsis:
Its 1941, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mortimer Brewster, a New York critic of both drama and marriage, is finally getting hitched to Elaine Harper, the girl next door. Before heading off for an evening at the theatre with his new bride to be, Mortimer stops in to deliver the news to his aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, two sweet little old ladies who donate toys to charity and care for their nephew Teddy, a bugle blowing nut-bag who thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt. But Abby and Martha aren’t as sweet and innocent as they seem. Mortimer soon discovers, to his horror, that his dear old aunties have a dozen bodies buried in the basement. It seems the Brewster sisters have a new hobby - luring lonely old men into their home and serving them Elderberry Wine with their own special recipe, a teaspoonful of arsenic, a teaspoonful of strychnine and just a pinch of cyanide (Deee-lightful!) To make matters worse, Mortimer’s deranged and very dangerous brother Jonathan shows up. Jonathan, on the run from the law, has a dead body in the trunk of his car, a drunken plastic surgeon at his side, and a face that looks like Boris Karloff. Mortimer frantically attempts to deal with dead bodies, insane asylum directors, attempted murders, and a new bride all in one crazy Halloween night.

Character breakdown:

• Mortimer Brewster: (male, late 20’s to late 30’s) The slightly neurotic nephew to Abby and Martha Brewster, who most comes face to face with his maniac brother, Jonathan.
• Elaine Harper: (female, mid 20’s to mid 30’s) Mortimer’s pretty, independent girlfriend.
• Abby Brewster: (female, 50’s & up) One of the two sweet, but insane Brewster aunts who believes murdering lonely old men to be an act of charity.
• Martha Brewster: (female, 50’s & up) The other sweet, but, insane Brewster aunt who serves as Abby’s partner in crime.
• Jonathan Brewster: (male, 40’s & up) Mortimer’s evil, maniac brother, who, because of numerous plastic surgeries, bears a striking resemblance to Boris Karloff.
• Dr. Einstein: (male, 40’s & up) Jonathon’s partner in crime, who hopes they will be able to turn the Brewster house into an evil laboratory.
• Teddy Brewster: (male, late 30’s to mid 40’s) The kindhearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathon, who honestly believes he is President Theodore Roosevelt.
• Officer Brophy and Officer Klein: (male, 30’s & up) Officers who make their rounds collecting Christmas toys, and aid Mortimer in his fight against Jonathon.
• Officer O’Hara: (male, late 20’s & up) The determined police officer who is also an aspiring playwright. Would like Irish accent if possible.
• Lieutenant Rooney: (male, early 40’s & up) A police office who aids Mortimer in his fight against Jonathan.
• Reverend Dr. Harper: (male, 50’s & up) Father to Elaine Harper; The minister who runs the church next door to the Brewster house.
• Mr. Gibbs: (male, 50’s & up) A lonely little old man who nearly falls victim to the aunts’ charity.
• Mr. Whitherspoon: (male, 40’s & up) The caretaker of Happy Dale Sanitarium. May possibly consider thisrole for a female.