Arsenic and Old Lace at Gaslight Baker Theatre

Arsenic and Old Lace is a timeless comedic classic by Joseph Kesselring that blends murder, madness, and mayhem in the most delightful way. Set in the charmingly traditional living room of the Brewster family’s old Brooklyn home, the play is a perfect mix of old-fashioned values and outrageous antics.

The story follows Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic who’s just gotten engaged and thinks life is finally falling into place—until he discovers a shocking family secret. His two sweet, charitable aunts have a peculiar hobby: poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the basement. As if that weren’t enough, his brother Teddy believes he’s Theodore Roosevelt, and his long-lost, criminally insane brother Jonathan returns home with a new face—thanks to a sketchy plastic surgeon.

With fast-paced dialogue, eccentric characters, and a perfect balance of dark humor and slapstick, Arsenic and Old Lace is a beloved farce that has been entertaining audiences for generations. It’s a laugh-out-loud ride that proves family secrets can be deadly—and absolutely hilarious!