Sandee DePriest has been a favorite fixture of Springfield Little Theatre productions for decades. Her commanding voice has landed her lead roles in both plays and musicals. In recent years, her performance career has been interrupted by devastating, total hearing loss. She has sat out for several seasons, opting to watch husband, DavidDePriest, and their sons perform. Then came ARSENIC & OLD LACE and Sandee took the leap to audition.

“She was hysterical!” director Beth Domann raved about Sandee’s audition reading. “Great delivery and timing!”

That timing is dependent on Sandee’s other senses. She cannot hear the rest of the cast or the eruptions of laughter from the audience. She performs the sharp-witted classic farce entirely based on visual cues. Taking that leap requires a lot of trust in your fellow actors. Luckily, she’s surrounded by a cast of professionals and some comforting faces.

If you are an avid playbill sleuth, you may notice there are four seasoned performers in ARSENIC & OLD LACE from one family. There is Sandee DePriest as Martha Brewster, who is married to David DePriest as Jonathan Brewster, who is brother to Leigh Anne Schuster as Abby Brewster, who is married to Patrick Schuster as Dr. Einstein. Sandee admits the hardest part of the show is what she calls her ‘non-hearing challenge.

“I knew it would be, of course, but I didn’t anticipate the overwhelming support, encouragement, and care that I have been gifted from the directors to crew to fellow cast members. It has redefined ‘challenge’ as ‘joy,’” she gushed.

All four of the DePriest and Schuster clan barely have room to scratch the surface of their decades of acting and directing in their program bios. Surprisingly, though, they have very few credits in common. The quartet last performed all together when they formed a caroling group in 1999. “We only got one gig out of it, but it was a fun experience all working together,” Patrick laughed.

Individually, they have had several opportunities to collaborate, but it is a rare treat to see both couples together on stage. “In the 45 years since Leigh Anne and I were in high school, I think I’ve only done two, maybe three, shows with her. Patrick and I, only three or four,” David said of his sister and brother-in-law. “Out of 90-something, that’s not very many.  Obviously, Sandee and I have worked together a lot more, both on the acting and directing side.”

“I love getting to perform with my family,” Leigh Anne reflected. “They’re incredibly talented, and it’s always a joy to share the stage with them. There is also a built-in comfort and trust that makes the experience even more fun.”

“The first word that comes to mind is ‘safe,’” Sandee echoed. “I have worked with David and Patrick onstage before, but this is my first time with Leigh Anne. What a delight it is to play sisters with my real-life sister!  We ‘get’ each other and I think our relationship serves to deepen the loyalty and devotion we portray in this show.”

With all the performance experience that the DePriests and Schusters have racked up, some shows come back around. Leigh Anne and David have performed in ARSENIC & OLD LACE before, but they both say there are still new things to discover. David is revisiting the show for a 3^rd time and has played a different role each time.

“I’m a very kinetic actor. Always moving, reacting, changing facial expressions. I find it difficult to hold still and not change my face with every thought. Jonathan is a very still, menacing, scary character. Not really my go to role at all. It doesn’t help that I’m one of the shortest men in the show,” David humorously noted.

When asked about her greatest challenge, Leigh Anne’s reply was more ground level. “My old-lady shoes! They’re not very comfortable, and it’s a long show!” she joked. “Other than that, the biggest challenge is just keeping the rhythm of the show going and staying on top of what’s coming next. The more we perform, the easier and more natural that becomes.”

Patrick has been involved in several unique projects at SLT. He has been in debut casts of new works including the enigmatic Mark Twain in REPORTS OF MY OZARK CHRISTMAS ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED. A standout experience was starring as the Baker in INTO THE WOODS alongside original Broadway cast member Kim Crosby. This time, he credits the creative team for drawing him out to audition.

“The only reason I auditioned for ARSENIC & OLD LACE was to have the opportunity to work with [co-directors] Beth [Domann] and Marni [Erwin],” Patrick shared. “I didn’t care what part I played. I just wanted to be part of the gang. Getting the opportunity to play alongside my family was just an unexpected bonus.”

That part does come with an added difficulty that Patrick has been working to master. “The German accent. I don’t really have a great ear for accents and dialects. Luckily my character is a fraud, so it doesn’t have to be spot on.”

Looking back, there are many memories and friendships formed here that the DePriests and Schusters cherish. “It’s impossible to narrow it down to one. I met David here during GYPSY in 1992, so I guess I had better include that,” Sandee joked.

“Having a talented actress as a wife and sons who love their stage time has made SLT one of our happy, family places for decades,” David added.

After all this time, the group still feel a sense of awe and appreciation for all that Springfield Little Theatre has brought to their lives. David looks back at his very first SLT show in 1992 that started as a family affair and continues in that spirit today.

“My Dad auditioned with me, and we both were cast in EVITA,” David recalled. “After being cast, I literally remember standing in my apartment and thinking, ‘This is going to change my life,’ and it did.”

“I would just like a chance to say, ‘Thanks,’” Sandee added. “Thanks to the directors, crew, and cast. Thanks to my family onstage and to my offstage family who will be in the audience. Thanks to God for this incredible gift. I am so grateful.”

Get your tickets now for ARSENIC & OLD LACE at Springfield Little Theatre.