COD Theater presents 'The Man Who Came to Dinner'

It's Christmas 1939 when College of DuPage College Theater presents Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman's "The Man Who Came to Dinner."

Preview is Thursday, Nov. 12, with a preshow discussion at 6:45 p.m. in the McAninch Arts Center's Playhouse Theatre on campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Performances continue through Sunday, Nov. 22, with a post-show discussion on Friday, Nov. 20. Regular performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14 adults, and $12 seniors, students and military. For tickets or information, call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.

Directed by Doug Long, the story is about when famous theater critic Sheridan "Sherry" Whiteside comes to dine at the Stanleys' family home. Slipping on the icy steps and breaking his hip, Sherry's lengthy recuperation causes hilarity and tangled plots as he imposes his influence on each occupant of the home.

"'The Man Who Came to Dinner' is one of the great American comedies of the 20th century," Long says. "After their great success with the social commentary comedy 'You Can't Take It With You' in 1937, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart turned the satire on their own world of New York and Hollywood, of writers and performers who seemed so removed from middle America. The comic tension between these two worlds, when the self-absorbed New York writer Sheridan Whiteside must recuperate in the home of a typical Ohio family, is really what pushes the humor in this wonderful play."

"The Man Who Came to Dinner" premiered in 1939 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City, starring Monty Woolley as Whiteside. The acclaimed production was adapted for film in 1942 featuring Woolley, Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Billie Burke, Jimmy Durante, Mary Wickes and Richard Travis. Filled with wit and one-liners, the comedy is celebrated for its zingers as much as its nuance.

The COD cast hails from nine Chicago suburbs including Aurora, Bensenville, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, LaGrange, Naperville, Roselle and Streamwood. The cast features Laura Voss as Mrs. Stanley, Samantha D'Alberti as Miss Preen, James Martuzzo as Richard Stanley, Matthew Garrett as John, Linda Spadlowski as Sarah, Jennifer Schwartz as Mrs. Dexter, Renata Naomi as Mrs. McCutcheon, Rick Chong as Mr. Stanley, Chyanne Mariano as Maggie Cutler, Cole Hinterlong as Dr. Bradley, Nathan Dittemore as Sheridan Whiteside, Claire Svehla as Harriet Stanley, Erik Sorensen as Bert Jefferson, Jacob Coats as Professor Metz/Banjo, Julian Coronado as Michaelson, Charles Fasano as Plainclothes Detective, John Fowler as Mr. Baker/Westcott, Dana Norris as Lorraine Sheldon, and John Stricker as Beverly Carlton.

The design team for "The Man Who Came to Dinner" includes Long as director, Aurora's Michael Moon handling scenic/properties/sound design, Chicago's Kimberly Morries with costume/ makeup/hair design, and Glen Ellyn's Jon Gantt managing lighting design.