Comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" presented by Theatre Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL – Theatre Tuscaloosa kicks off the new year with “Arsenic and Old Lace” Feb. 20 - March 1 in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College (9500 Old Greensboro Road).

This classic comedy by Joseph Kesselring showcases that home is where quirks are celebrated and where even the most unexpected surprises await. In this case they await the hero, Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, murderous family and local police in Brooklyn, New York, all while debating whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves.

The cast includes returning Theatre Tuscaloosa performers Sophia Allen, Gabriel Carden, Donald Falls II, Heather Gann, Joseph Hardin, Nicholas Vasillios Pappas, and Steven Yates. New to Theatre Tuscaloosa are performers Brent Hardin and David Parker. They are joined by All-Star Cast members Drew Baker, Cooper Shattuck, John Walker, Kathy Wilson, and Gary Wise.

“We have some cast members returning from the Theatre Tuscaloosa 2003 cast, of which I was a member,” Director Ray Taylor said. “It will be a joy to bring this comedy back to the Bean-Brown stage with not only returning cast members, but newcomers as well!”

Ray is joined by a production team including: Averie Bonneville, stage manager; Therrin Eber, scenic designer; Lyndell McDonald, lighting designer; Jonathan Proctor, sound designer; Molly Page, fight choreographer; and Jeanette Waterman, costume designer.

Performance dates are as follows: Friday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday Feb. 21, 22, and 25 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday Feb. 26 - 28 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday March 1 at 2 p.m. A pay-what-you-can performance will be presented on Thursday Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for “Arsenic and Old Lace” are on sale Jan. 13 for flex pass holders and Jan. 20 for the public. Prices are $21 for adults, $19 for seniors, members of the military, and Shelton State Community College (SSCC) Employees, $16 for students, children, and groups of 10 or more, and $9 for SSCC students. This play is appropriate for ages 13 and older.

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2025-26 season is presented in partnership with Shelton State Community College and is sponsored by BankFirst, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Tuscaloosa, WVUA23, and signature sponsor Claire Friday. “Arsenic and Old Lace” is sponsored by Cartography Consulting, Mercedes Benz US International, Thornhill Capital Management, and Signature Sponsors David Lewis and Penny Miller. The 2025-26 radio sponsor is Townsquare Media, and the billboard sponsor is Lamar Outdoor.

More information is available at www.theatretusc.com/oldlace or 205.391.2277.

Media Note:  If you would like to arrange to cover a performance of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a limited number of complimentary press passes are available.  Contact Adam Miller at (205) 391-2925 or the box office at (205) 391-2277 to make arrangements.

Theatre Tuscaloosa is a 501c3 not-for-profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1971 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.