ZOE KIRIAZIS
Staff Writer
The Department of Theatre and Dance opened the next show in their season on Nov. 30 with George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” directed by theatre professor James Ivey.
The show follows the chaotic happenings and events following famous New York City radio personality Sheridan Whiteside, portrayed by theatre professor Tom Loughlin, after he falls and injures his hip. Whiteside is forced to recover at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, portrayed by sophomore musical theatre majors Katelyn Crall and Trevor Alberts-Pearson. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley are less than pleased with how their lives are being turned upside down right before the holiday season. Crall and Alberts-Pearson balanced each other out in their frustration and dwindling patience with Whiteside in their home.
While we follow Whiteside’s recovery and shenanigans brought to the Stanley’s household, Whiteside’s secretary Maggie, played by senior musical theatre major Gretchen Martino, accidentally falls in love with hungry journalist Bert Jefferson, played by senior musical theatre major Joshua Carey. They form a subtle relationship, with which Whiteside is not pleased. When Maggie confesses to Whiteside she’s in love, he calls in his friend and Hollywood actress Lorraine Sheldon, portrayed by senior musical theatre major Carly Dieck, to break off their relationship. Dieck commanded the stage capturing the presence of an old time movie star from the 1930s.
Loughlin and Martino’s performance held the relationship as a father and daughter; Maggie is exploring the world while Whiteside wants what’s best for her. “I know your tricks,” Maggie comments to Whiteside as her and Bert’s relationship grows. Martino’s interpretation of Maggie showed her continuous climb uphill before ultimately fighting for what she wants in the end.
In this production, students had the opportunity to work with three professors: Loughlin playing Sheridan Whiteside, Ivey playing Banjo during act three and Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Ralph Blasting, who made appearances in each act of the show as an expressman.
Out of a cast of 31, many of the minor characters introduced strategically throughout the play added another level of depth and movement to Ivey’s direction. Anna Dempf’s performance of Harriet Stanley, a character inspired by real-life axe murderer Lizzie Borden, received numerous laughs with each entrance and exit she made. Professor Metz, portrayed by freshmen acting major Jack Levenberg, was filled with energy and passion and delivered cockroaches as a present to Whiteside for his recovery. Dr. Bradley, portrayed by senior acting major Angelo Heimowitz, captured the audience by asking “Do you have time?” to Whiteside, as he hoped to receive feedback on the medical book he has written. One radio technician, portrayed by senior theatre arts and journalism major Leron Wellington, gained praise as he flirted with Whiteside before his radio broadcast on Christmas Eve.
In the spring semester, “The Illusion” by Tony Kushner will resume the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series at the end of February and beginning of March, directed by professor Jessica Hillman-McCord.