THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER by Carol Kaufman Segal

           

Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman wrote many successful plays in their lifetime.  One of their funniest comedies, The Man Who Came to Dinner, was written in 1939 and was eventually made into a film.  You won’t want to miss a revival of this play being performed by The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.

            

The play takes place in a small town in Ohio, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley (Doug Haverty and Laura Wolfe)..  Sheridan Whiteside (Jim Beaver), a well-known New York radio personality had been invited to dine at their home while visiting the city.  He accidentally falls on some ice at their front door and finds himself confined to their home in a wheel chair for a month. 

           

Not as bad for Whiteside as it is for the Stanleys since he takes complete control of the house and the telephones, giving orders to the family, what they can do and not do while he is recuperating in their home!  He has an entourage of people with him constantly, who he insults, and orders around.  His closest visitor is his secretary Maggie (Hartley Powers), who has been with him for years and knows him only too well.  Others, though,  who have to put up with him, and his bullying, are a full-time nurse, Miss Preen (Kay Cole), and Dr. Bradley (Fox Carney).  His strange entourage of visitors includes performers, radio people, technicians, deputies and even a convict!  All of these characters, along with Sheridan Whiteside, bring comedy to the forefront of this play.  And in the end Sheridan Whiteside gets his retribution.

            

Other cast members include Neil Angevine, Bita Arefinia, Nick Asaro, Michele Bernath, Anastasia Burnett, Cheryl Crosland, Lareen Faye, Michael Gabiano, Chihiro Kato, Momoka Kato,  Christian Land, John Ledley, Sherry Michaels, Barry Pearl, Susan Priver, Steve Shaw, Marina Shtelen, Marc Stancato, Sal Valletta, Chris Winfield, Leslie Young.

            

The Man Who Came to Dinner is directed by Bruce Kimmel.  The entire cast is exceptionally outstanding.  Jim Beaver stands out as absolutely remarkable in a role that he makes his own.   Kay Cole, as Whiteside’s nurse Miss Preen, is utterly hysterical.  The beautiful stage design is by Chris Winfield.  This play will keep you laughing from beginning to end.

            

Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, through January 12, 2020, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre (Main Stage), 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. (Talkback following Sunday’s matinee December 29)  For further information, or for tickets, go online at www.thegrouprep.com, or call (818) 763-5990.

            

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