ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
March 31 - April 2, 2023 & April 13-16, 2023
The Annex
Written by: Joseph Kesserling
Directed by: Paula Ferguson
Produced by: Moulton L. Ferguson
Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays: 7:30 PM
Sundays: 2:00 PM
Synopsis:
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell them before they stumble upon the body themselves. He learns that the two women aren’t just aware of the dead man, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s president, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police – not to mention his own hesitancy about marriage, Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
Arsenic and Old Lace is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Services, Inc.
TICKETS
Online Sales:
March 31 - April 2
April 13 - 16
Online sales end approximately one hour prior to the start of the show.
By Phone:
Call Us: 724-654-3437
Visit the Box Office:
212 East Long Avenue, New Castle, PA
Hours: 10AM – 4 PM, Monday – Friday
Meet the Cast
KELLY BERIE
Officer Brophy
Kelly has been involved at the New Castle Playhouse since 2018. Her stage credits include Company, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, and Play On! She has also shared her talents with other theaters, including The Children’s Hour at Penn State and the Comtra Theater. She is a trach / vent nurse who found her interest in theater when, as a child, her mother took her to see The Music Man. She loves log cabins, music, comedy clubs, and escape rooms. Kelly would like to thank Paula for giving her a chance.
ERIC CHEVLEN
Dr. Einstein
Eric is a retired physician making his first appearance at the New Castle Playhouse. He has previously appeared in The Music Man, Bullets Over Broadway, The Color Purple, and Elf at the Youngstown Playhouse. His hobbies include greenhouse gardening, watch repair, singing, and writing. He is the author of Triple Crown, the only triple heroic crown of sonnets in the English language. (Triple Crown is available on Amazon.) Eric quotes, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely player; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.”
PHILLIP L. CLARK, JR.
Teddy Brewster
Phillip has acted, produced, built sets, is an original member of the SFG, and just completed a term as the President of the Board of Directors at NCP. He has been a part of the NCP family for 23 years and most recently appeared on our stage in last year’s production of The Sunshine Boys. Other stage credits include Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Fools, Assassins, The Odd Couple, and Barefoot in the Park. He got his start in theater at the urging of Condi Augustine and we will always be grateful to Condi for encouraging Phillip to take to the stage. Phillip holds a BA and a JD from the University of Pittsburgh and is a practicing attorney in the area. He would like to thank his darling wife Alice, his beautiful daughters Lindsey, Ashley (Jash), Emily (Heath), and arguably the most adorable children, Norah, Scarlett, and Leo. He says, “You let me, help me, and inspire me to go on.”
RENEE DiALESANDRO
Elaine Harper
Renee has been a member of the NCP family since 1997, having appeared on our stage numerous times. Some of her more memorable roles include The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta,) Fool for Love (May,) and The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical (Pickles.) She said she was drawn to theater in high school because she was not good at sports. A full-time executive assistant for yes. every kid. and a part time self-employed travel agent specializing in Disney Destinations, Renee enjoys going on vacation-particularly to Disney World, enjoys sharing delicious food and drinks with her friends, spending time with her amazing nephews, and being a cat mom to Cullen and Zero. Renee would like to thank Paula for allowing her to be a part of “Team Ferguson” again!
TINA GREIG
Abby Brewster
Tina has been involved at NCP since 2010. She found herself hooked on theater ever since she had an elementary school play. She is retired after 40 years of various teaching/administrative roles in public and private education and liturgical music. Tina has appeared on various community theater stages listing some of her favorite roles as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nancy in Oliver, Mother Superior in Nunsense, and Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Of all the roles that she has played, her favorite role is that of “Nina” in the lives of her grandchildren. Tina says she is thrilled to be back at NCP for the first time since COVID. She would like to thank Paula, the production staff, and her fellow actors for allowing her to come and play in the sandbox!
MATTHEW KINGMAN
The Reverend Dr. Harper
Matthew returns to our stage after portraying Alistair Spenlow in last year’s production of Move Over, Mrs. Markham. A Capacity Management Analyst, Matthew found the theater through his friends, the Sweitzers. He enjoys volunteering and preparations for Wampum community events, helping with the Mohawk Marching Band, and substitute teaching. Matthew would like to thank Dawnlee and Scott Sweitzer for getting him involved at NCP, RoAnn Romeo for keeping him encouraged, Paula Ferguson for her patience in helping him to learn the theater, and his children for supporting his stage efforts.
MIKE LYONS
Officer O’Hara
In Mike’s freshman year of college, a friend needed help with a play, so Mike stepped in. He did one show where he was cast as a lead and fell in love with theater. He started to do more theater, and learned how to set lighting and sound, and his love for the craft stuck. This is his first appearance on our stage, but he has credits to include Arcadia, Reckless, The Mandrake, and Ornamental Hermit. Employed by Enterprise, Mike loves anime and gaming. However, theater was always the love of his life, and he was ready to step back into it. Mike is an Alpha Psi Omega member from Bethany College. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support.
BRANDON McCORMICK
Mortimer Brewster
Brandon has been involved at the New Castle Playhouse since 2011. His road to the theater had two catalysts: his elementary school would bring in theatre troupes to perform and he saw a production of Romeo and Juliet where the Mercutio was so captivating that he knew he wanted to see more theatre in his life time; and in his elementary school’s production of A Christmas Carol, he realized that he could participate as well. This led him to audition for the school’s production of The Wizard of Oz the next year, and he has never looked back. Brandon has appeared in over 30 productions including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fools, and Grease. A substitute teacher at Neshannock High School and a front end loader at Lowe’s, Brandon attended Thiel College where he majored in English. He enjoys reading and writing. Brandon would like to thank his family and friends for their support.
WALTER PLINGE
Mr. Witherspoon
Walter hails from the Golden State of California and transplanted to Lawrence County at a young age. While this is Walter’s stage debut, he has built a career as an established public address announcer all over Western Pennsylvania. Walter would like to thank the entire cast and crew of Arsenic and Old Lace for their kind support, for welcoming him with open arms, and for providing a wonderful first experience for him in the theater. He would also like to thank Cat in the New Castle Playhouse office who he says, “keeps the wheels on the place.”
HARRIET LEMBERGER-SCHOR, MD
Lieutenant Rooney
Harriet first appeared on stage as a child at the Junior Civic Theatre of Indianapolis. After a hiatus, she returned to the stage as Susan in our 2018 production of Company. She is a family physician and certified life coach who enjoys ballroom dancing, visiting museums, playing card and board games, and attending/leading religious services. She has also participated in ballroom dancing competitions and showcases. As a Certified Life Coach, her special interest is in coaching and education of Lifestyle Medicine and the role it plays in one’s overall health and well-being. She would like to thank the cast and crew, but most especially Paula for the opportunity and privilege to take the stage again.
GEORGE SPELVIN
Mr. Gibbs
George is making his NCP debut in this production. Previous stage credits include being the “W” in his kindergarten class play, the character “Oil” in his fourth-grade play, and he has appeared in Disney Spectacular in eighth grade. George has three Pennsylvania State Farm Show blue ribbons in Square Dancing, and one red one that he prefers not to talk about. He would like to thank his friends who encouraged him to return to the stage; Mo, Paula, and Karen for working so hard to make this awesome production possible; and gives a special thank you to RoAnn for being a wonderful friend and confidante throughout this production.
CINDY WEST
Martha Brewster
Cindy is making her NCP debut in this production, but she is no stranger to the stage. She has appeared in Hello, Dolly, Steel Magnolias, and To Kill A Mockingbird. The theater life found her when her children were involved and she began helping backstage. Cindy teaches writing to middle and high school students. She studied English Literature at Barry University in Miami, Florida. When she isn’t on stage or preparing for a role, Cindy can be found treasure hunting in antique and salvage stores. She would like to thank Carol for seeing “spots” so many years ago. “Much love,” she says.
ROBERT WHITING
Jonathan Brewster
Rob is making his New Castle Playhouse debut in this production. His interest in theater began in high school, where he appeared in Strongest Woman in the World and Showboat. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the theater seven years ago with the Black Sheep Players. Rob has held many roles, both on stage and off, in the Youngstown and Sharon areas. A graduate of Mohawk High School and the University of Cincinnati, Rob works as a meat cutter. He would like to dedicate this performance to his late Uncle Mark Whiting who took on the role of Mortimer Brewster in high school.
KRISTEN YOUNGER
Officer Klein
Kristen is no stranger to the NCP, having been involved for at least ten years. She found her way to the theatre through her older brother Matthew and her dear friend, Dawnlee Sweitzer, may she rest in peace. Some of her credits include Peter Pan, Jr., The Crucible, The Addams Family, A Harry Potter Musical, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, White Christmas, Anything Goes, and Guys and Dolls. Kristen is the Assistant Director of PreK Learning. She loves to read and spend time with her fiancé, their puppy, and their amazing nieces and nephews. Kristen would like to thank her fiancé for always supporting her in everything she does. She would like to thank her father and two brothers for always being there for her. And she would like to share how forever grateful she is for her mother, who never stopped pushing her. She knows she would not be where she is today without her. Finally, she would like to thank Dawnlee and Morgie, without whom she never would have started this amazing ride at NCP. She says, “I hope you, Mom, and Grandma are enjoying the show up there!
