Arsenic and Old Lace is a three-act, farcical dark comedy by American playwright Joseph Kesselring. It made its Broadway debut in 1941 and enjoyed a successful three-year run. The play was made famous by the 1944 film adaptation directed by Frank Capra and starring Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster. 

Dramatic critic Mortimer Brewster's engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts' window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren't just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him!  Between his aunts' penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police---not to mention Mortimer's own hesitancy about marriage---it'll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding.  ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is a clasic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.

Rachelle Steinhaurer 

Director

Rachelle Steinhauer (Director) is an award winning actress and director from Hattiesburg. She is a former President of Hattiesburg’s Just Over the Rainbow Theater, and has many community theater credits to her name, including “The Mousetrap”, “Sylvia”, “Over the River and Through the Woods”, “Private Lives”, “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “Death and Deceit on the Nile”, “Faulkner’s Bicycle”, and “Graceland”. She has proudly represented the city of Hattiesburg at the Mississippi Theater Association Festival a total of four times, two of which she was awarded the acclaimed “All Star Cast”. She is most proud of her portrayal of “Annie Dean” in the production of “Riding the Wind” by local Hattiesburg author and playwright Dean Meador Smith. This is her third time directing for Sumrall Community Theater, having previously directed the 2019 production of “Greater Tuna”, and last year’s “Steel Magnolias”. She is married to Tony Steinhauer, and is the proud mom to Abe and Lenora Rose. 


Galia Mixon as Abby Brewster

Galia Mixon is a native of sumrall Ms, attending William Carey University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication with the goal of becoming a therapist.  She’s a member of the Nationally ranked forensics team at Carey, and was titled 2022 Bronze medalist at the National Forensics championship for her dramatic piece “A meeting in Munic.” she’s worked with Emmy nominated, and Grammy award winning artists such as Josh Turner, on stages like the grand ole Opry, city winery and off-broadway’s Jaimison theatre. She’s passionate about mental health education and competes with written pieces on such topics. She’s dedicating this performance to her siblings. “To Dima, Lydia, and Koby, may you find the magic as I did.” 

Kim McKenzie as Martha Brewster

Kim is happy to return to the stage in her third acting role.  Her previous credits include "Gentlewoman" in Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera  Macbeth (2017) and "Violet Bick" in Just Over The Rainbow's It's a Wonderful Life (2016).  She also assisted backstage in Sumrall Community Theater's Greater Tuna (2019).  Kim enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, to whom she is dedicating each of her performances. 

Josh Burris as Mortimer Brewster

Josh Burris is a senior at USM majoring in physical education. This is Josh’s first play with Sumrall Community Theater, however this is not his first time on stage. Back when Josh was in high school, Josh was apart of multiple musical productions on the coast that includes Next to Normal, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Grease. While Josh has been at school at USM he has found a “home” at the Wesley Foundation on campus where he served as the worship coordinator and was the worship intern at Parkway UMC in Hattiesburg. 

John Parker as Teddy Brewster

A veteran of numerous HCLO and JORT performances, John has been involved in local community theater for forty years.  He most recently appeared in the SCT presentations of Smoke on the Mountain and Smoke on the Mountain Christmas, serving as the director of the latter.  He brings his formidable talents to the role of Teddy. 

Carter Campbell as Jonathan Brewster

Activities: 

Drama Club, Show Choir


Play Experience:

Willy Wonka(Willy Wonka Jr.)

Sebastian/Design Team (The Little Mermaid Jr.) 

Father (The Giver)

Morris Carmichael (A Little Princess)


Special Thanks:

Dr. Beam for suggesting this show to me, and my amazing parents who have helped me out with everything.


J. C. Banks as Dr. Einstein

The only other role he has played is  Grimsby in “the little mermaid, but wishes to continue acting and potentially one day pursue a career in acting.

He is also an active stage singer and performer and has been for many years. He is a prominent member of “LBE”.  He would like to thank anyone who has supported him in his endeavors through out his life on earth. His one message to everyone is “life is short, eat the cake”.

Bill Nix as The Rev. Dr. Harper

Bill's first play was his senior year of high school in Speech Class.  It was a self made play by the folks on my team and we had a ball!  His first "official" play was Greater Tuna consisting of 2 actors playing several different roles.  He had a small part in the Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever.  Now he is proud to bring you Dr. Harper in the renowned play Arsenic and Old Lace. 

Hannah Brady as Elaine Harper

Hannah Brady is so excited to be making her Sumrall Community Theatre debut as Elaine in Arsenic and Old Lace! Hannah is a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi, graduating in December with a degree in Elementary Education. Hannah is a follower of Jesus Christ and sings on the worship team at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. Hannah grew up doing theatre, playing roles such as Maria in The Sound of Music, Gertie in Oklahoma!, and Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz



Jessica Sanderford as Officer Brophy

Jessica has always loved being on the stage. And has been singing and performing since around the age 12.


 A few of her favorite performances she has been in are Stage 2's "Les Miserables" (lovely lady), "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (narrator 3), and "West Side Story" (shark girl) & Meridian Little Theatre’s; "Little Shop of Horrors" (Mrs. Luce), "Elf the Musical" (chorus), "Oliver!" (Strawberry seller), and "Miracle on 34th Street the Musical" (Mrs. Crookshank) then Hattiesburg Community Theatre’s "Bad and Belty 2.0." In her free time, Jessica loves to do art projects, watch anime,  play video games, and spending time with her family.

Jessica is very excited to be returning to the stage and being a part of Sumrall Community Theatre!


Jayden Hibbets as Officer Klein

Jayden loves the theatre and is involved in it whenever she can be. Most of her previous performances consist of musicals during middle school and various summer workshops.


She enjoys doing anything creative, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.


Jayden is super excited for her first show with the Sumrall Community Theater!


Conner Graham as Officer O'Hara

Conner is returning to the stage in his third acting role. His previous credits include "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow " and "Jack and the Ruffians" as a member of Oak Grove HighSchool theater. He also has assisted backstage as a tech in OG theaters competition theater group and their production of "The Old Man and The Old Moon" and several other productions and events. He enjoys acting and is excited for his performance as Officer O'Hara in this production of "Arsenic And Old Lace".  

Stacy Clark as Lieutenant Rooney

Stacy is returning to the stage for a third time with the Sumrall Community Theater.  Her most recent  performance was as  Clairee Belcher in "Steel Magnolias", she also played a supporting role in "The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever".    She is a native of West Chester, PA and has lived in Sumrall for 30 years.  Her dreams of being an actress started in her teenage years when she had the lead role in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown."  Roles continued in a high school production of "The Wiz".  However, NYC hasn't called her by name just yet so she spends her days as a State Farm Agent in Prentiss.  Stacy has two sons and a host of friends that support her!

Devid Graham as Mr. Witherspoon 

Native of Sumrall. Graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Have worked in the Healthcare Financial arena for over 40 years in various states. Moved back to Sumrall in 2021.

Performed with the USM theater production of The Mikado and also was a cast member of the Marion County Arts Council production of Anne.

Enjoy spending time with family, especially my great niece and great nephews.

David Williamson as Mr. Gibbs

David is excited to return to the stage for Sumrall Community Theater. He first appeared in SCT's first ever production, Smoke on the Mountain as Pastor Oglethorpe (2017).  In 2018 he brought Pastor Oglethorpe back to stage in SCT’s production of The Sanders Family Christmas. He played fireman one in the SCT production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2019). He also assisted backstage in SCT's Charlie Brown Christmas (2022).  

Romans 8: 38-39


Kris Doe as Mr. Adam Hoskins

A Methodist

John Doe as Mr. Spenalzo

This is Mr. Spenalzo’s first—and only—production.  When not appearing on stage Mr. Spenalzo could be found offering car rides to strangers in need of a lift.  He was also a huge fan of Boris Karloff movies.