The Conejo Players presents
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
Director - Tami Keaton
Producers - Janelle Phaneuf and Michael Byrne
PERFORMANCE DATES:
May 11th through June 2nd, 2012
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM
Sunday Matinees at 2:00 PM
TICKET PRICES:
$18.00 - Regular
$16.00 - Senior / Student / Military
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedy in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It debuted on October 16, 1939. Kaufman and Hart wrote the play as a vehicle for their friend, Alexander Woollcott, who was the model for the lead character (Sheridan Whiteside). At the time the play was written, Woollcott was famous both as the theater critic and as the star of the national radio show. Woollcott was well-liked by both Kaufman and Hart, but that did not stop him from displaying the obnoxious characteristics displayed by Whiteside in the play. Kaufman and Hart had promised a vehicle for Woollcott, but had been unable to find a plot that suited them - until one day when Woollcott showed up, unannounced, at Hart's estate, and proceeded to take over the house. He slept in the master bedroom, terrorized Hart's staff, and generally acted like Sheridan Whiteside. On his way out, he wrote in Hart's guest book, "This is to certify that I had one of the most unpleasant times I ever spent." Hart related the story to Kaufman soon afterwards. As they were both laughing about it, Hart remarked that he was lucky that Woollcott hadn't broken his leg and become stuck there. Kaufman looked at Hart and the idea was born.
Having dined at the home of the Stanleys, Sheridan Whiteside slips on their doorstep and breaks his hip, necessitating a tumultuous six weeks of confinement. Join the Stanleys as ex-convicts are invited to meals, transatlantic calls bring a $784 phone bill, penguins take residence in the library, an octopus moves into the cellar, and 10,000 cockroaches take over the kitchen. And then there's that mysterious mummy case! Visit www.conejoplayers.org for more details.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Actor David Butcher (Mr. Ernest W. Stanley) has returned to the Conejo Players after 19 years. The last production he participated in at CPT was none other than The Man Who Came To Dinner, playing the role of Bert Jefferson. And this time it is a family affair; David's teenage son, Christian, is working on the stage crew for this production!
CAST:
Linda Schaver as Mrs. Daisy Stanley
Pat Newbert as Miss Preen
Dan Wilner as Richard Stanley
Joanna Bert as June Stanley
John Barker as John
Eve Keifer as Sarah
Sandie Allaway as Mrs. Dexter
Isabell Bell as Mrs. McCutcheon
David Butcher as Mr. Ernest W. Stanley
Brianne Anderson as Maggie Cutler
Roger Krevenas as Dr. Bradley
Keith Moreton as Sheridan Whiteside
Rosemary Bird as Harriet Stanley
Andy Justus as Bert Jefferson
Colin Fluxman as Professor Metz / Deputy
Todd Tickner as Mr. Baker / Westcott / Deputy
Gary Cunial as Michaelson and Plainclothes Man
Jonathan Aflague as Henderson / Expressman / Radio Technician
Patrick McGrath as Convict / Expressman / Radio Technician
Lois Lorback as Lorraine Sheldon
Devin Dornbos as Sandy
Ray Mastrovito as Beverly Carlton
Nicholas Penrose as Banjo
