University Theatre to open 2025-26 season with “Arsenic and Old Lace”

YSU’s University Theatre will kick off its 2025-26 production season with “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a comedy directed by senior lecturer Todd Dicken.

When theater critic Mortimer Brewster comes home to announce his engagement, he discovers his two spinster aunts’ macabre secret: their penchant for poisoning lonely old men as acts of mercy. Further complications arise as he deals with a brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, and another murderous brother returning home after plastic surgery to hide from the police.

Between grappling with family loyalty or obeying the law, it will be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his own wedding. This madcap comedy is sure to keep audiences laughing and on the edge of their seats.

The student cast for “Arsenic and Old Lace” includes includes Eric Ballard, Jr., Youngstown, OH; Emma Barborak, Hermitage, PA; Chloe Camacho, Bristolville, OH; Natalie Ciccone, Austintown, OH; Samantha Cox, Niles, OH; Noah Dudai, New Middletown, OH; Nicholas Figiel, Jamestown, PA; Crystal Faith Fisher, Mingo Junction, OH; Lincoln Hall, Cortland, OH; YSU President Bill Johnson; Lex McCaughtry, Lowellville, OH; Anthony Mudryk, Struthers, OH; Benjamin Podnar, Wampum, PA; Helena Snyder, Austintown, OH; Jessica Sprague, Norwalk, OH; Adriana Rosario, Youngstown, OH; and Ilse Zijlstra, Antwerp, OH.

Student crew includes Anna Airhart, Nick Atwood, Gianna D’Alesandro, Liam Donnelly, Alida Dufrene, Brenda Hernandez, Natalie Horvath, Nikta Hosseini, Layla Munholand, Nathaniel Perry, Skyla Phillips, Karianne Rateno, Sarah Robles, Bryan Schink, Sophie Schuetz, Alex Shina, Justine Snowden, Manny Tolbert, Jr., Gerald Walker, Cadence Watson, and Barborak, Camacho, Dudai, Podnar, Snyder, Sprague, Rosario, and Ziljstra.

The staff for this play includes Dicken as director; associate professor Katherine Garlick as costume designer; Jonathan Zelezniak as lighting supervisor; and Gunnar Carwile as scenic carpenter.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” will be open to attend October 3 – 5 and 10 – 12 in the YSU Ford Theater, located in YSU's Bliss Hall. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 PM, with the Sunday matinees starting at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by visiting ysu.tix.com. Parking for this event is available in the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for a $5 fee payable in cash only.