Only a year ago I was "starring" as Young Man/Italian Man in "Marty" where I wowed the audience with my 4 minute performance.  And here I am as the sorta lead (Aunt Abby actually has more lines) of "Arsenic and Old Lace."  Sure, some might deride my successful acquisition of the part by mentioning that I am dating the director.  But what they don't know is that my relationship with Laura E. Force -- director extraordinaire -- almost cost me the role of Mortimer!  

 

Laura comes across as an easygoing young lady, but what you don't know is that she is fiercely jealous.  A green eyed monster who is not at all interested in having some other lady play my fiancé.  So landing Mort was not an easy thing.

 

Yeah.

Right.

You don't buy that at all do ya?

 

Anyway, here's some pictures of us rehearsing:

Click on any picture to make it big.

Reverend Harper chats up the Aunts

Teddy's in his own world while Abby flirts

Elaine has no idea what's coming

Elaine and Martha wait for Mort

The Aunts watch the sinister pair

Chonny prepares to chew scenery

Smokin'!

Meredith takes a nap

Madame Director and Chonny

Three cast members and one "Head" Nurse at Tina's Halloween Party

Isn't she cute, being all studious and such?

Elaine teases Mort

Time for notes

Yes... or No?

A tender moment before all the craziness

John and Laura's Uncle Ken work on the set

Mort tries to coax Elaine

 

Why was I wearing all black on the day we took pictures? 

 

And now some shots from the dress rehearsal:

 

Bob made cool posters and Craig stood there

Teddy looking all presidential

At last, some Action!

A Minister's daughter?

In the beginning...

It's only funny when somebody gets hurt

Fill in the blank: "_____ the blockhouse"

Lets go see what's in the window seat

I refuse to explain this picture

Awww yeah

 

 

Here's some crap I wrote about the play whilst feeling pretensions (did I just say "whilst"?):  

 

Gold embossed invitation

Ladies and Gentlemen: You are cordially invited to an evening of theater with master thespian Jake Scruggs. He and others will be performing "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the prestigious Mayfair Park.

Most of you are no doubt familiar with either the play or the movie starring Cary Grant, but talented young director and lady friend of Mr. Scruggs, Laura Force has breathed new life into an already uproarious classic of modern theater. Expect the unexpected.

For those of you uninitiated with this gem, you are in for a treat. Arsenic wielding Aunties face off with a prodigal predator, while young love struggles with insanity and deceased dinner guests. Kindness leads to murder while rudeness saves the day. It is a comedy which is utterly charming and light on the surface but with a dark, dark undercurrent. 

Opening night is Friday, November 8th at Mayfair Park -- 4550 W. Sunnyside, Chicago 312-742-7610.

Dinner Theater on the first and last nights!

Desiring to see you at this gala event, yours very truly,
Jacob Baierl Scruggs Esq.

 

And here's a grid with the performance dates in November 2002:

 

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

8*

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every Bold date is a performance night (8pm sharp), except for the 24th which will be a matinee (1pm).  Cost is $8.

 

* On Firday November 8th there is dinner theater at 7pm (show at 8).  $8 just for the show, only $18 for dinner and a show.  Sunday, the 24th of November, is lunch theater.  Lunch is at noon and the show starts at 1pm.

 

Click here to download a word document containing the flyer.

 

Click here to see an alternate version of the flyer (which we couldn't use because it wasn't Xerox-friendly).