Bonnie Kate Community Theater couple excited to tackle key roles in ‘Arsenic & Old Lace’

Published 1:09 pm Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Josiah and Jayme Caraway may come from different parts of the country, but this young married couple will be combining their talents as they tackle key roles in the upcoming production “Arsenic & Old Lace,” a play written in 1941 by Joseph Kesselring, set to open at the historic Bonnie Kate Theater this Friday.

Both say they are very excited to be part of the first Bonnie Kate Community Theater production, under the direction of Marcia Ross.

Josiah Caraway will have one of the leading roles, as Mortimer Brewster, a part made famous in the film version of the play by Cary Grant. His wife, Jayme Caraway, will serve as both house and stage manager for the production.

“It is truly a humbling experience to be playing a character that Cary Grant played,” Josiah said. “I would love to do it justice and it is a bit intimidating since this is my first lead role in a play. I am excited to get on stage and give it all I’ve got!”

Josiah, a native of Watauga, Tenn., and Jayme, who was born and raised in New Hampshire, met while working on a maintenance crew at the same camp in rural New Hampshire. Josiah had graduated from Johnson University in Knoxville; Jayme from Gordon College near Boston.

The two married and moved to Johnson City to be closer to Josiah’s family. He currently works as a barista/server at the Coffee Company and Jayme is in data management for Experian Employer Services. Both have a variety of experiences with the theater.

While a student at Johnson University, Josiah joined the theater and got a side role in the play “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick and also in “Fools” by Neil Simon.

Jayme performed in two musicals in a community theatre. She also plays multiple instruments including the saxophone and the flute, so she transitioned from the stage to the pit band, working in that capacity with community theater productions and school shows for several years.

“When we heard there was a new, local community theater starting up at the Bonnie Kate, we were so excited,” Jayme said. “It is particularly special for Josiah, who grew up going to see movies there and he remembers the teenage ice cream “club” that was held upstairs there for a while.

“To be able to be a part of the resurrection and transformation of this theater is such an honor and has been so encouraging,” she added. “So often in life, we see old things forgotten or abandoned as society moves on to something else — but now we are seeing new life breathed into this historic building that is so full of potential to be such a shining light for the arts in Elizabethton.”

Describing this production of “Arsenic & Old Lace” “just the right balance of spookiness and hilarity,” Jayme says she is very excited about the prospect of getting to “breathe new life” into the old theater.

“To be able to see the next generations grow up with this treasure and for them be able to participate in the arts on this scale right in their own hometown is what keeps us motivated to really make this something special,” she said.

“This cast and crew have far exceeded their prescribed roles and everyone lends a hand to whatever task needs to get done. They have been so generous and…such a joy to be around. I really couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with and grow alongside.”

“Arsenic & Old Lace” is about a writer, Mortimer Brewster, who falls for the girl next door. The two decide to marry on Halloween, and afterward, return to their respective family homes to announce their marriage. It is then that Brewster finds something very troubling hidden in the window seat at the home of his eccentric aunts, his disturbed uncle and his homicidal brother, and he starts to realize his family is even crazier than he ever thought possible.

“There really isn’t anything like seeing a live production,” Jayme said. “The feel of the lights, the energy in the room of everyone laughing or holding their breath together, and of course the opportunity to truly live in the moment are all parts of what makes the theater so special.”

“Arsenic & Old Lace” will be performed at the historic Bonnie Kate Theater, 115 South Sycamore St., Elizabethton, TN on Friday and Saturday evenings, October 14 and 15; and 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Matinee performances will be at 2:30 p.m. on October 16 and 23. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for children ages 12 and up. Tickets are available online at www.bonniekate.org, at the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Elizabethton or at the door.