Arsenic and Old Lace

Subscribe now for our 2026-27 season to get the best savings and best seats! Single tickets go on sale June 1.

Why you should see Arsenic and Old Lace

Because it’s a masterclass in mayhem, manners, and homicidal hospitality.
Because nothing says “family values” like two sweet old ladies and a basement full of surprises.
Because Brooklyn’s quirkiest household proves that chaos ages like fine wine.

Synopsis

Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. It turns out Abby and Martha already knew about the dead man in their parlor: They put him there. Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother hiding from the police — not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage — it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding. A classic dark comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.

Details and special events

Arsenic and Old Lace previews March 11 and 12, 2027, and runs through April 11. (No shows on March 14 and March 28.) Subscribe now to get the best savings and best seats! Single tickets go on sale June 1.

Don’t be scared off by the seats labeled “Slightly obstructed.” They have a narrow wooden post partially in view from the seat. Most folks say the experience in our intimate theater is just fine! Bring a group of 10 or more and get 25% off the face value of each ticket. Contact the box office to discuss details. If you are an employee of a fellow theater company seeking industry comps, please email us at least 48 hours in advance. Subject to availability.

Health & safety:
If you are feeling unwell, please stay home, and don’t worry about your tickets. We’ll be happy to exchange them for another performance, free of charge. Learn more about our health & safety protocols.

Special events:
“What’s a preview performance?”
Thursday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.: Pay What You Can Preview Night. (Call the box office at 408-295-4200 to name your own price.)
Friday, March 12, 8 p.m.: Preview Night.
Saturday, March 13, 8 p.m.: Opening Night performance and post-show party.

Parking and other info

Should you require accessible parking, email us or add a note to your order to reserve a spot in front of the glass doors. We will accommodate as many as possible. The theater is wheelchair-accessible; book the accessible & companion seats when buying tickets.

For everyone else, there are many lots downtown (street parking can be hard to find). Most ParkSJ garages offer 90 minutes of free parking, and the website ParkSJ.org is a great resource providing real-time parking availability, maps and more.

The closest city lot is the First Street and I-280 Lot, under the freeway. Parking there is limited, but free on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Learn more about accessibility and public transit in the area.

Due to the intimate size of our theater, we unfortunately are not able to seat late patrons. Thank you for your understanding.