Houston Community Leaders Set for Walk-On Roles in A. D. Players' ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Community Leaders Scott Arthur, John Beddow, and the Rev. Lauren (Larry) Hall will take the stage as guest actors in A. D. Players' current production of the comedy Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. The three will play Officer Klein on three separate nights, September 27, October 4, and October 5, and help raise awareness for their favorite charities.

"I'm thrilled to get to share the stage with the A. D. Players' actors and raise awareness for Star of Hope," said Scott Arthur, Director of Public Relations at Star of Hope Homeless Mission.
Originally written as a drama, Arsenic and Old Lace turned out to be a madcap dark comedy that is as funny as it is famous today. The main characters are the elderly Brewster sisters and town darlings, but they have a littlesecret. Their nephew Mortimer discovers they are'helping' lonely gentlemen boarders to early graves by way of homemade, arsenic-laced wine. Added to the mix is his brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, a criminal on the run, and the girl Mortimer wants to marry.

Performing September 27 at 8:00pm is Scott Arthur, a familiar name and voice in Houston. His decades of radio and TV experience in the Bayou City includes an 18 year run as the morning Radio Personality on KQUE, Host of the TV 26 All Night Movies, local PBS shows and a number of national infomercials. As a producer and director, Scott has worked with nationally known figures like George Bush, James Michener and Danny DeVito. In 2009 he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Scott now puts his talents to work as the Director of Public Relations for Houston's Star of Hope Mission, serving the homeless.

October 4th at 8:00pm the Rev. Lauren (Larry) Hall will perform. Rev. Hall is senior pastor at St. John the Divine. He oversees clergy and is responsible for the overall vision and leadership of St. John the Divine. Since coming to the church in 1981, hehas presided over a period of extraordinary growth and innovation in ministry. Rev. Hall's visionary focus of building community has resulted in an active campus that is not just a Sunday church but a church for every day. His primary activity outside of the church is enjoying his family which includes his wife Bennie, children Grant, Oliver, and Bailey, and grandchildren Billy, Daisy, Kane, and Trotter. His hobbies include reading, golf, the Astros, and guitar playing.

John Beddow, publisher of the Houston Business Journal, will perform October 5 at 8:00pm. A native of Pittsburgh, PA., John graduated from West Virginia University in 1970, with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Pursuing a career in newspapers and magazines in places like Charleston WVa, Raleigh NC, Annapolis MD, Washington DC and Baltimore MD he rose through the management ranks and became Publisher of the Pittsburgh Business Times in 1983. He moved to Houston in 1987 to become Publisher of the Houston Business Journal. He served a short time in Florida when American City Business Journals bought several journals in Tampa and Orlando then moved back to Houston in 1998. Running a company involves some good acting ability from time to time he is fond of saying - so he is excited to put that skill to good use with the A. D. Players. John is on the Board of Lemonade Day/Prepared for Life and on the Advisory Board of the Houston Technology Center.

Tickets to Arsenic and Old Lace may be purchased online at www.adplayers.org, at A. D. Players' Box Office, 2710 W. Alabama, or by calling 713-526-2721. Ticket prices range from $15 for Previews to $32 - $41 for single tickets. Group, student, and senior discounts are available.

Photo by Bara Photography

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