Larceny and Old Lace

Larceny and Old Lace is a play written by Van Vandagriff, a teacher at Huron Valley Catholic School in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

The play, which won the 2003 Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest, is a spoof on Joseph Kesselring's play, Arsenic and Old Lace.

This play is performed mostly by Junior High and Middle Schoolers.

Plot
The plot is similar to Arsenic and Old Lace, with some significant changes. The two aunts (Millie and Gertie) instead of killing old men, rob casinos. The crazy uncle (Charlie) believes he's a pirate, instead of Theodore Roosevelt. Here, Millie and Gertie have just finished robbing a bank, and they have brought their "winnings" home. As the audience soon figures out, Charlie is normally the one to bury the money (he believes he is burying treasure).

Harold, the aunt's nephew, is ready to get engaged to his fiancee. However, when he finds the stolen money (hidden in a window seat) he believes Charlie has stolen the money. His dread only increases when two FBI agents stop by to inform him of a bank robbery. Harold now thinks that Charlie has robbed the bank. He is told his wicked cousin Mordred is suspected of the crime, as he has recently escaped from prison. Harold still thinks Charlie has robbed the bank, and he doesn't know what to do. Harold decides to call the local insane asylum to see if they can admit his uncle. However, when Mordred and his side-kick Lester actually show up, the plot really thickens. Mordred slowly but surely figures out what has happened. He then threatens Harold that if he reveals where he is, he'll tell the cops about Millie and Gertie robbing the casino. Harold must juggle his aunts, Charlie, the FBI, the insane asylum representatives, as well as his evil cousin! The play reaches its conclusion after several twists and turns only to end up where it began.

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