Arsenic & Old Lace Cast (2015)

Welcome from the Director, Tommy Parris... Thank you all for coming to the Lyric Theatre production of the 1941 Broadway hit "Arsenic and Old Lace". Without your support we would not be able to bring you the great shows we have already presented on this stage, as well as those to come. I would like to express my gratitude to my cast and crew, the LMPOA, the Lyric Theatre Company, and everyone responsible for helping me bring this play to the stage. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for their love and support and putting up with my long hours away from home making this happen. I would mostly like to thank my wonderful wife, Mary Lisa, for introducing me to this theatre. Thank you all again, and I hope you enjoy.

Amy Akins is a Lenoir City native who has been active in theater since her college days. She has appeared in productions of “Once Upon a Mattress”, “The Apple Tree”, “Smoke on the Mountain”, “M*A*S*H”, and “Scrooge”. She has also stage managed for “The Children's Hour” and “Cinderella”. She spends her days tutoring English and her nights studying acting. Most recently, she performed at the Lyric as Ouiser in “Steel Magnolias”.

Sean Cowen is proud to be a part of his first production with the Lyric Theatre. He studied theatre at the University of Tennessee, where he directed "Of Mice and Men" and performed in his first play, "Charlie's Aunt". Since then, he has been seen in "On Golden Pond" and "Wait Until Dark" at the Oak Ridge Playhouse, as well as "John, His Story" and "The Complete History of the Old Testament in 20 Minutes" with The Wordplayers.

Joyce Gohagan

Megan Jones is excited to be working with Lyric again after performing in “The Foreigner” and "Steel Magnolias". She recently appeared in Tiger Lily’s Night of Shorts and Tennessee Stage Company’s New Play Festival. She thanks the cast, director, and all in involved for this wonderful and fun experience! Much love to her family and friends. Enjoy the show!

Ken Knox is a mathematician at UTK. He is proud to be able to support the arts in East Tennessee.

Lori Loper has been an avid lover of the arts all her life. She took drama classes all through high school (a million years ago) and has been involved in the Drama Ministry at several churches in the past. This is her first time acting at the Lyric Theatre, and she couldn't be more thrilled...or terrified depending when you ask!!

Jeremy Lowery has enjoyed performing all of his life. He acted in several plays throughout his academic years. In college he majored in video production and has since been directing and acting in numerous short films. In recent years he has returned to the stage and is excited to be performing at the Lyric Theater!

Ira Massie, originally from Lexington, Kentucky, has been an active member of the Greenback Community for many years. He does dramas and musicals at his church, Niles Ferry Baptist, and does musicals solos. He enjoys reading, the outdoors and collecting comic items. He portrayed Dr. Gibbs in the first Lyric community play “Our Town” and was an extra in “The Foreigner” and Merriman in “The Importance of Being Earnest”. Most recently, he appeared in “Soldier, Come Home”.

Ben Styles first acted with the Lyric Theatre Company in the 2013 production of “Our Town” (Constable Warren). He is the pastor of a church in Greenback where he enjoys performing dramatic monologues of Bible characters. He lives in Tallassee with his wife, Jeanne, and they are the parents of two grown sons.

Doug Thompson was featured as Mr. DePinna in "You Can't Take It With You". He was previously associated with Branch River Theatre in New Hampshire, and appeared on film in the cast of "Summer" with John Cullum.

Colton Toney - I was born in a middle class family. My family was a mixed one, my father was an awkward looking gentleman, who bagged him a beautiful Philippian woman with an awesome son named Jello. On June 30, 1997, my mother went into labor and on July 1st, I was born (or ripped out). I am 18 now with years of theatre and art experience. I am here performing at the Lyric Theatre, with an awesome Director and wonderful crew.

Preston Waggoner is a junior at Lenoir City High School. He is an active member of the Lenoir City Church of Christ. He started community theatre at age 9. Before moving to Tennessee, he had worked with the Elkhart Civic Theatre Company and Premier Arts. Since his arrival here in Tennessee he has performed with the Tellico Community Players and was George in “Our Town”, Ellard in “The Foreigner”, Donald in “You Can’t Take it With You”, and the Footman in “The Importance of Being Earnest” here at the Lyric..

Director - Tommy J. Parris
Assistant Director - Amy Akins

Abby Brewster - Lori Loper
Teddy Brewster - Preston Waggoner
Rev. Harper/Officer O'Hara - Colten Toney
Officer Brophy - Ira Massie
Officer Klein/Mr. Gibbs - Doug Thompson
Martha Brewster - Joyce Gohagan
Elaine Harper - Megan Jones
Mortimer Brewster - Ken Knox
Jonathan Brewster - Jeremy Lowery
Dr. Einstein - Sean Cowen
Lt. Rooney - Tommy J. Parris
Mr. Witherspoon - Ben Styles