In Joseph Kesselring's "Arsenic and Old Lace," Teddy Roosevelt is more than just a quirky character trait; he’s a central figure portrayed by one of the Brewster sisters' eccentric relatives. “Teddy” believes himself to be the 26th President of the United States, immersing himself in his fictional role with relentless enthusiasm. His antics, which include “charging up San Juan Hill” in the attic and disrupting the household with his presidential fervor, add a layer of absurdity to the play. Teddy's character not only provides comedic relief but also serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of mental instability and the impact of personal delusions on those around him. Through Teddy Roosevelt's exaggerated self-importance and elaborate role-playing, Kesselring cleverly contrasts the absurdity of individual delusions with the more sinister secrets hidden in the Brewster household.

Teddy Roosevelt and The Panama Canal

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City. Roosevelt's career spanned roles such as: a soldier, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governor of New York, and the youngest U.S. President at age 42 following President McKinley's assassination.

President Roosevelt achieved a longstanding U.S. objective: the completion of a trans-isthmian canal. American and British leaders sought a quick and inexpensive shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts throughout the 1800s. The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 was made to ease Anglo-American rivalry over a proposed Nicaraguan canal, but plans stalled. French efforts, led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, to build a Panama Canal began in 1880 failing due to disease and bankruptcy. Despite these setbacks, American interest persisted.

The 1901 Hay-Pauncefote Treaty allowed the U.S. to build its own canal, and after debates, the U.S. Senate chose Panama over Nicaragua in 1902. A treaty with Colombia fell through, prompting Roosevelt to support Panamanian independence. Following Panama's independence in 1903, the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty granted the U.S. land for the canal, which was completed in 1914.

The Panama Canal showcased U.S. technological and economic power, unfortunately straining U.S.-Panamanian relations later on. 

Dramaturgy by Mo De Poortere