SCCC Play - Arsenic and Old Lace

The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Sussex County Community College presents Joseph Kesselring's timeless, thrilling comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace," directed by Professor Allison Ognibene.  

The play takes place in the early 1940s in Brooklyn, New York, when drama critic Mortimer Brewster's engagement announcement is upended in the gravest encounters! 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 classic dark comedy about the only thing deadlier than poison: family.  

Running two weekends, "Arsenic and Old Lace" show dates are Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students, seniors and US military and can be purchased at the door or online by visiting https://sussex.simpletix.com. Sussex County Community College Performing Arts Center is located at One College Hill Road, Newton, NJ. 

The cast and production crew of “Arsenic and Old Lace” include:  

• Andover resident: Jude Cerasoli 
• Byram residents: Professor Olga Maali as Officer Mali; Walter Stanek, Build Crew 
  Branchville resident: Ben Smith as Mortimer Brewster 
• Franklin resident: Lori Tomlin, Costume Designer 
• Hamburg resident: Chris Flatt as Lieutenant Rooney 
• Hopatcong resident: Jess Dooley, Scenic Painter 
• Lafayette resident Amalia Scripsick as Elaine Harper; Nicole Mezack, light board operator; 
  Montague residents: Phil Cocilovo, Assistant Director and Dramaturg; Alex Stapel, Stage Manager 
  Milford, PA resident: Tim O’Connor, Sound Mixer 
• Newton residents: Lisa Geerhart as Dr. Harper (week one); Romell Kota, Assistant Stage Manager; Alex Zander as Dr. Witherspoon (second weekend); Olivia Fisher, Costume Assistant; Melissa Marshall, Sound Designer and Operator 
• Sparta residents: Max Cagno as Mr. Gibbs; Kaelyn Steel as Officer Klein; Sky Sobeski as Officer O’Hara 
• Stanhope residents: AJ Amella as Jonathan Brewster; Sam Bloch, Lighting Designer; Nicolas Galloza as Dr. Einstein 
• Stillwater residents: Dana Nigro as Abby Brewster; Leo Watson as Teddy Brewster; Diane Pollett as Rev. Dr. Harper (second week); Nina Bennett, Sound Mixer Operator 
• Vernon residents: Jamie Boyle, Technical Director; Jennifer Balogh as Martha (week one); Michelle Dester as Martha (week two) and Witherspoon (week one); Catarina Cruz, Sound designer and operator; Suzette Houders as Lieutenant Rooney (4/27 and 5/2) 

The Building Construction Technology class, taught by Professor Frank Semplenski, also assisted with the construction of the set.   

To learn more about the Visual and Performing Arts programs or all programs at SCCC, visit sussex.edu/academics. "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is presented by a special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com). 

PHOTO ONE - Left to Right: Dana Nigro as Abby Brewster, Jennifer Balogh as Martha Brewster (first weekend) and Ben Smith as Mortimer Brewster discuss what to do with unwanted guests in the Brewster House in Sussex County Community College’s production of “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

PHOTO TWO: Left to Right: Abby Brewster (Dana Nigro of Stillwater) and her sister Martha Brewster (Jennifer Balogh of Vernon) offer Mr. Gibbs (Max Cagno of Sparta) special elderberry wine.