Theatre at Wilmington High School kicks off its 2015-2016 theatre season with Kaufman & Hart’s “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” This late 1930s comedy tells the tale of world-famous critic and radio personality, Sheridan Whiteside, who is injured on the steps of the Stanley residence and turns the household upside down during his tumultuous six-week convalescence.
Hollywood stars come and go, strange gifts are delivered and highly questionable guests show up for lunch. “The Man Who Came to Dinner” is full of high comedy, low farce and an array of eccentric characters.
Allister Brausch plays Sheridan Whiteside, the man who came to dinner, and Hannah Satchwell plays his long-suffering secretary, Maggie. Whiteside receives medical attention from Dr. Bradley played by Jason Cochran and Nurse Preen played by Rebecca Manser, but he also commandeers the Stanley family’s cook and butler, performed by Jen Cochran and Ty Snarr.
Austin Carey, Megan Borton, Simon Heys, Kya Resor, and Emma Ballein make up the Stanley Family. Ryan Oates plays the small-town newpaper man and Maggie’s love interest, Bert Jefferson and Shade Prell plays the union organizer that steals the heart of The Stanley’s daughter.
Some of Whiteside’s guests include a Hollywood diva played by Erin Stroebel, a British film star played by Caleb Beck, a Marx Brother-type comedian played by Bryant Bergefurd, a German entomologist played by Rhyann Green, and three convicts played by Gethsemane Bray, Elaine Menguria, and Melissa Stroebel.
Mai Cooper, Bailey Arnold, Adam Germann, Liberty Farris, Jordan Snarr, Cody Cravens, Clarissa Clark, Stephanie Kesterson, Keeley Allen, Brooke Blakeman, Raina Clark, Brooklyn Nielson, Aubree Trusty, Justus Farris, Elijah Schroeder, and Gabe Weston round out the ensemble made up of police officers, nosey neighbors, choir members, radio technicians, and delivery drivers that all find their way into the chaos moving in and around the Stanley home
This production is directed by WHS theatre teacher Bryan Wallingford and stage-managed by Zach Bueno and Sam Stevenson.
The show runs Nov. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m. No reservations are required, as all tickets will be sold at the door prior to each performance. All tickets are $10 with festival seating once doors open a half-hour before each performance.
