Arsenic & Old Lace at Weathervane Playhouse, Akron

April Deming (Abby Brewster) April discovered Weathervane Playhouse shortly after her move to Ohio in 2011. Since then, it has been her home away from home. She had the opportunity to direct the 8x10 Eileen Moushey TheatreFest in 2023 and 2024, which gave her the opportunity (post-pandemic) to meet so many new actors. April and her husband Dave have four talented daughters and four beautiful grandchildren. Some of her favorite roles to date include Sonia in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Regina in The Little Foxes, and M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias. She is beyond grateful to be back on the Weathervane stage.

Tammy Carder (Martha Brewster) Tammy Carder is thrilled to return to the Weathervane stage, having previously appeared as Ellen in Over the Tavern back in 2006. Recent credits include Smoke Gets in Your House (Beth Hearn), Reunion at Hippie High (Rainy), and Murder in Black and White (Ann) at Wolf Creek Players. Favorite roles include Here on the Flight Path (Faye), Domestic Tranquility (Ethel), Sex Please, We’re Sixty (Hillary), and Arsenic and Old Lace (Abby Brewster). She spends her free time creating, crafting, painting, and enjoying time with her family. Many thanks to her family for their constant support. She would also like to thank all of you for coming to see the show, supporting community theatre, and therefore—to quote Martha—“Well, isn’t this nice?” Sit back and enjoy the show!

Scott Crim (Reverend Harper; US Mortimer) Scott is excited to return to the Weathervane stage for its 91st season in Arsenic and Old Lace. He was last seen on the main stage as Max Halliday in last season’s suspenseful Dial M for Murder. In the meantime, he was a guest performer at his alma mater, the University of Mount Union, in the Theatre Department’s production of A Christmas Carol as Jacob Marley/Ghost of Christmas Future. He performed with Shakespeare at the Castle in Alliance and directed with Genesis Theatre. One of his favorite Weathervane moments was performing in Angels in America, Parts I and II as Louis Ironson in the inaugural production of the former Deitz Theatre. Thank you to all my family and friends for their support of the arts.

Keon Dalziel (Mortimer Brewster) Keon is thrilled to return for his fifth Weathervane show as Mortimer! Before Tommy in Jersey Boys, Keon appeared in multiple other productions at Weathervane, including the Ohio premiere of Jersey Boys as Tommy DeVito, the Weathervane tradition of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Joseph, Cabaret as Clifford Bradshaw, and Something Rotten! as Nigel Bottom. Keon has previously performed many roles at other theatres, including Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, Doody in Grease, Rolf in The Sound of Music, Jonathan Harker in Dracula, and Captain Pipe in Paul Green’s Trumpet in the Land. Alongside live theatre, Keon has also been involved in short films, and he currently works as a voice actor for his company, Keen Vocals. He is grateful for the opportunity to perform for this community and appreciates the support from his friends and family, to whom he looks forward to repaying that support in the future.

Adam C. Alderson is extremely pleased to appear in one of his favorite comedies at the Weathervane Playhouse. Seen recently on stage at Weathervane in the ensemble of Come from Away, Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret, and his Chanticleer Award–winning performance as Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, he also recently appeared in Stow Players’ The Girl on the Train as Tom. In addition to acting, Adam has also worked backstage, most recently as the co-director of 8x10: The Eileen Moushey TheatreFest, which he will direct this season, and as the dialect coach for Murder on the Orient Express, Cabaret, and Dial “M” for Murder. He also enjoys working with young people through his church and teaches a diverse array of classes for Weathervane’s education program. He would especially like to thank his family for their unfailing support of his theatrical pursuits.

Amanda Vigneault (Elaine)Amanda is happy to be a part of this great team! Recent Weathervane credits include Margot Wendice in Dial M for Murder, Helen Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express and Mrs. Peacock in Clue. Weathervane favorites include Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Chanticleer award), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine, Chanticleer Award), The Drowsy Chaperone (Drowsy, Chanticleer Award), Hair (Sheila), and Children of Eden (Eve/Mama Noah, Chanticleer Award, Marquis Award). She has performed at Ohio Shakespeare Festival as Dr. Watson in Ms. Holmes and as Ophelia in Hamlet. She has also performed at Coach House, Cameo, and Showbiz, where her favorites include Children of a Lesser God (Sarah, Royal Coach Award) and Songs For a New World (Woman 1). By day, she works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Much love to her husband, Adam and their 3 kids Aria, Ayla, Archer and her mom and pops!

Dimitri Georgiadis is excited to return to Weathervane Playhouse! Dimitri has performed with local theaters in the area including Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Magical Theatre Company, Get Away with Murder, and Blank Canvas Theatre. Memorable roles include: Gary/Roger (Noises Off), Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Twelfth Night), Renfield (Dracula), Michael Stamford (Miss Holmes), Philip Lombard (And Then There Were None), Hamlet (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead), and James Keller (The Miracle Worker).

Noah T. Lee (Dr. Einstein) Noah Lee is a UA Theatre alumnus working at the Akron-Summit County Public Library. He is thrilled to be part of this production, as Arsenic and Old Lace has been a dream show of his. His previous work at Weathervane includes Assistant Stage Manager/Understudy for The Mousetrap and Crew/Understudy for The Play That Goes Wrong. Noah’s past roles with the University of Akron and UA’s Theatre Guild include Col. Mustard in Clue, The Prince in Romeo and Juliet, Sorn in Stupid F*ing Bird, and Riley in It’s a Long Story. Noah would like to thank Fred Gloor and the cast and crew of Arsenic and Old Lace, his entire theatre family, his incredible coworkers, his friends, and his loving family, who have always supported his artistic endeavors.

Eric Steckel (Mr. Gibbs) Eric began performing in 1969 at the University of Akron (The Boys from Syracuse, among others), at Goodyear Musical Theater (Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and Kismet), and finally at Weathervane (Kiss Me, Kate, Company, The Boys in the Band, and Sleuth). While living in Florida (1981–2020), he performed in Key West (Godspell, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine) and Orlando (Annie, among others). He began playing piano at the age of 16 and has continued playing and singing for churches and in gospel groups on the radio and nationally. He was a radio host for several years in Key West and hosted a TV show there five nights a week for 13 weeks. He is happy to be back at Weathervane after not performing for over 20 years.

Mason Shuman (Officer O’Hara) Mason P. Shuman has been a regular performer at Weathervane for several years. You may remember him as the Creature in Young Frankenstein, Mr. Boddy in Clue, Michel in Murder on the Orient Express, Tony in last season’s Dial M for Murder, or as any number of characters over the years as part of the Eileen Moushey 8x10 TheatreFest. When not acting, Mason can be seen playing music in a variety of bands in the area. He believes you will love this production of Arsenic and Old Lace because the cast and crew are top-notch! Mason would like to thank his wife and sons for their ongoing support of his artistic passions.

Elijah Blower (Officer Klein) Elijah is delighted to once again participate in a Weathervane production as Officer Klein. This is Elijah’s third show with Weathervane. He especially wants to thank his family for their support and encouragement!

Mitch Meyers (Officer Brophy) Mitch Meyers is thrilled to be making his Weathervane Playhouse debut in Arsenic and Old Lace. His previous credits include the world premiere of Foul Play (Steve) at the Youngstown Playhouse and participation in The Strand Project at Selah Restaurant & Theatre. Following a hiatus from performing to graduate from Kent State and begin his career in marketing, Mitch is incredibly grateful to the creative team for this opportunity to return to the stage. He would like to thank his family and friends for their endless encouragement and support.

Ken Young (Lieutenant Rooney) This is Ken’s second time taking the stage at Weathervane. He previously played Captain Lesgate in Dial M for Murder. He is excited to be part of this very funny production and has truly enjoyed working with this talented group of people. When not on stage, Ken loves movies, sports, and bike riding. He would like to thank his wife, Jennifer, and his three children, Malak, Aidan, and Maizie, for their support.

James Rizopulos (Mr. Witherspoon) Jimmy is excited to return to Weathervane Playhouse for Arsenic and Old Lace. He was last seen as Marcel in the recent production of Murder on the Orient Express at Weathervane. He has also appeared in the Dietz Theatre production of Next Fall, as Lendall in Almost, Maine, and as Charles Strickland in David Mamet’s Race. Jimmy has also appeared in numerous 8x10 productions. He is a Class of ’89 Firestone CLC graduate. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, he spent twelve years in Los Angeles as a commercial actor, with roles for Microsoft Network, Science Channel, an MTV music video for the UK band Stereophonics, and various regional ad campaigns. He wants to thank his family and friends for all their support over the years!

Allison Cirner (US Elaine) Allison is excited to be back on stage after most recently appearing in RENT. She holds a BFA in Acting from AMDA in Los Angeles, which means she is professionally trained to pretend for a living. Past credits include past 8x10 festivals and Murder on the Orient Express, where, for legal reasons, she cannot confirm or deny her involvement in any onstage “murders.” When not on stage, Allison has appeared in short films in both Los Angeles and Cleveland, proving she can be dramatic in multiple time zones. She would like to thank her family, friends, and anyone who has ever pretended to enjoy rehearsal stories. Enjoy the show and beware of sweet little old ladies!

Brian O. Jackson (US Einstein and Teddy) Brian O. Jackson is no stranger to the Weathervane stage but is excited to explore new territory as Assistant Director and looks forward to seeing where this opportunity takes him. He was most recently seen at Weathervane in Shrek as Papa Ogre/Papa Bear. Other credits include Come from Away (Kevin T), The Prom (Barry), Rumors (Officer Welch), Death of a Salesman (Biff Loman), The Mousetrap (Major Metcalf), It Shoulda Been You (Walt), Young Frankenstein (Hermit), It’s Only a Play (Ira Drew), Dracula (Renfield), Unnecessary Farce (Todd), The Waverly Gallery (Dan), The 39 Steps (Clown 2), Working (Mike), The Baron of Brown Street (Lenny), Puffs (Wayne), The Pirates of Penzance (Major General), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Doug Panch), Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathan), The Full Monty (Dave), and many more. Thank you all for coming out and continuing to support live theatre!

Toussaint English (US Male Ensemble) Toussaint English is an alumnus of the University of Akron with a master’s degree in music composition. Since 2013, Toussaint has been a regular bassist for Weathervane Playhouse, rockin’ your favorite musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Something Rotten!, Aida, Newsies (keyboards), The Color Purple, Elf, Memphis, Dreamgirls, Bye Bye Birdie, School of Rock, Come from Away, Beautiful, The Amen Corner, RENT, Shrek, and Jersey Boys. Toussaint’s acting experience includes the musicals Annie Get Your Gun, The Music Man, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Dracula Baby. Toussaint can also be seen playing the lead role in a trilogy of college-made Shaft movies: Shaft: The Akron Chronicles (2009), Shaft: Arnett’s Revenge (2009), and Shaft’s Last Blast (2010), all available on YouTube.