David Watson portrays scene-stealing Teddy Roosevelt Brewster in CFABS’ ‘Arsenic & Old Lace’
On stage now in the Hinman Auditorium is the CFABS Community Players’ production of Joseph Kesselring’s classic comedy noir Arsenic & Old Lace. The play revolves around two kindly old aunts who are happily engaged in the philanthropic pursuit of dispensing poisoned elderberry wine to lonely old gents who come calling looking for a room to rent in the Brewster boarding house. Their nephew, Teddy, disposes of the bodies not in the cemetery adjoining their home, but in the basement. You see, Teddy believes himself to be President Teddy Roosevelt, and when he’s not leading charges up San Juan Hill (a/k/a the staircase to his second floor room), signing secret pacts or blowing his bugle, he is digging locks for the Panama Canal in the basement, where he inters his aunts’ victims of Yellow Fever.
This plum part is played by Davis Watson, and he steals every single scene in which he appears. David is proud to be making his debut on the CFABS stage, and from the look on his face, he is clearly enjoying and making the most of his role as the illustrious Spanish-American War hero and African big game hunter. David makes the trek from Port Charlotte, where he can often be seen in shows staged by the Charlotte Players. He has worked with director Gary Obeldobel a few times before, most recently as Bernard in Boeing Boeing and a few years ago as the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz.
Related articles
- Please click here for a synopsis of the play, play dates, times and ticket information.
- Please click here for Art Southwest Florida’s review of Arsenic & Old Lace.
- Juan Alejandro brings boyish enthusiasm and energy to role of Mortimer Brewster
- Dena Galyean sizzles as preacher’s daughter Elaine in ‘Arsenic & Old Lace’
- Escott and Hile play blissfully oblivious insane aunts in CFABS’ ‘Arsenic & Old Lace’
Published March 14, 2016.