By Barb Dorn
Arsenic and Old Lace, Olde Glory Theatre, Seward, NE Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
Well that was just flat out FUN! A lovely night for a short road trip to Seward (as in 22 minutes from Fallbrook short!), a wonderful reunion with some high school classmates, and a serendipitous seating with a new friend! All that is hard to beat – but it was – by a truly delightful presentation of the classic Arsenic and Old Lace.
I can’t remember the last time I saw this play, maybe decades ago. But I’ll remember this one for the fantastic casting, perfectly detailed set and great direction by Hannah Watt (who doubled as a cast member!).
The Brewster sisters (Megan Boggs and Angela Kaspar) played so well off each other and were so adorably evil, I do believe they would have convinced me to drink a toast with their elderberry wine! The Brewster brothers nailed it! I’d vote for Teddy, trust Mortimer and run from Jonathan. They were played by Tristin Cutshall-Cherry, Collin Hain and Justin Baldinger, respectively. Tristin and Collin were making their Olde Glory debuts, to my surprise! And Justin, a veteran of this stage who often plays a villain I was told… well let’s say I’m sure he is a very nice man in real life…! Haha He was amazing! His sidekick Dr. Einstein (not THAT Einstein) (Jackson Wells) was the perfect foil for Jonathan. The main cast was made complete by the lovely Delaney McDermed playing Mortimer’s love interest, Elaine.
Shout out to the supporting cast of “gentlemen” who helped “populate” the Brewster house and the boys and girls of Brooklyn’s finest. And finally, I would be terribly remiss if I didn’t point out that the cast also included two alumni of Palmyra High School. Go Panthers! Great to see you Alan Baldwin and Marvin Siefert!
The Olde Glory experience is a combination of great tech and sound, in a 150+ year old church building that is perfectly rounded out with Nebraska hometown hospitality and homemade concessions! Special thanks to local authority Clark Kolterman for the insights and conversation, and congrats on his recent appointment to the Nebraska Arts Council! I highly recommend supporting this gem in Seward!
If you go: Arsenic and Old Lace runs June 18-22, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:00PM, Sunday at 2PM. Ticket information at https://www.oldeglorysewardne.com/2025season
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