The Royal Crown Players of Roslyn High School are starting off their season with the American classic comedy, “The Man Who Came to Dinner”, directed by Cynthia Feinman. Written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, “The Man Who Came to Dinner” was first produced on stage in 1939 and has become one of the most beloved American comedies, with adaptations on radio, TV and film.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner” is a play about Sheridan Whiteside (Mark Russ), a famous 1940s radio personality. Whiteside is invited to a dinner party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley (Ben Heller and Samantha Matthews). As he’s leaving the Stanley’s home, he slips and falls on the icy steps and breaks his hip, leaving him immobile.
Since Whiteside cannot leave, he is forced to spend the Christmas holidays with the Stanley’s. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley’s patience and hospitality are continuously tested by Whiteside’s shenanigans. Proving to be an obnoxious houseguest, Mr. Whiteside hijacks the household tying up the telephone, inviting an array of characters over, and even goes so far as to advise the Stanley’s children to pursue their dreams against the wishes of their parents.
In the midst of all the chaos, Sheridan’s secretary, Maggie Cutler (Andie Weiner), falls in love with local newspaper man, Bert Jefferson (Davey Fried). Jealous of his secretary’s new love interest, Whiteside tries to break up the couple by having friend and Hollywood heartthrob Lorraine Sheldon (Abby Drucker) lure Bert away.
Rounding out the cast is Andrew Antenberg as Westcott, Samantha Berg as Mrs. Dexter, Andrew Defrin as Sandy, Cary Drucker as Dr. Bradley, Kyra Sorkin as Miss Preen, Jacob Fried as Banjo, Daniella Futoran as Joanna, Olivia Rubrum as June Stanley, Alex Russ as Beverly, Gianna Segura as Expresswoman and Deputy, Morgan Sapienza as Professor Metz, Lindsey Russ as Sarah, Oliver Topel as Richard Stanley, Charlotte Trezza as Mrs. McCutcheon and Arianna Vigorito as Harriet. There are also cameo roles played by Sophie Gerson, Saydie Grossman, Hailey Margulies, and Alexa Weinberger.
Feinman, who will be directing her first RCP production, stated, “I wanted to do this show because it’s a timeless play that is still funny after almost 80 years after it was written.”
The creative team also includes assistant director Allison Goldin, costume designer Cathleen Marx, and set designers Doug Sherry and Daniel Allen.
Other members of the creative team include stage manager Molly Frank and assistant stage manager Andrea Herrera. The technical director and lighting designer is Ross Rosenfeld. The co-apprentice directors for this production are Nicole Lee and Andrew Defrin. The set chiefs are Ross Rosenfeld and Jasmine Ting (set design) and Molly Frank (set construction). Other chiefs include Sarah Golden for sound and Sam Matthews for costumes. The business manager is Nicole Lee and the publicity chief is Ross Rosenfeld.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner” will be performed on Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m., Nov. 16 and Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Senior citizens can attend the Thursday matinee for free. All performances are in the Roslyn High School auditorium. To purchase or reserve tickets, visit royalcrownplayers.org, email rcp@roslynschools.org, or call the Box Office at (516) 801-5156. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.
