Hays High to present ‘The Man Who Came To Dinner’ March 15-17

Banjo (senior Micheal Hernandez) propositions Nurse Preen (senior Tana Herreman) in a scene from Act 3 of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” to be presented by Hays High School on March 15-17 at 12 Street Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Bill Gasper

HHS

One of the most popular comedies of all time will take the stage when Hays High School presents “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” a story about a famous, but rude and self-centered radio personality who slips on the front porch and becomes an extended and unwelcome houseguest.

The Kaufman and Hart comedy will be presented at 7 p.m. on March 15-17 at 12th Street Auditorium. The production, which is directed by Bill Gasper, features a large cast of 26.

Chaos breaks loose during a Christmas Eve radio broadcast after one of the medical professionals staying in the house is bitten by a penguin. The scene takes place at the end of Act 2 of “The Man Who Came To Dinner,” a classic Kaufman and Hart comedy that will be presented on March 15-17 at 12th Street Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Bill Gasper

“I considered this play many years ago, but for one reason or another, opted to do something else,” Gasper said. “But each year, I kept coming back to it, and finally decided the time was now. It is particularly inviting because it features a large cast, which of course, allows for the involvement of numerous students.”

The play revolves around Sheridan Whiteside (senior Dawson Rooney), who during his six-week convalescence takes over the living room, runs up phone bills, and plays host to ex-convicts. Hysteria runs rampant as he interferes, blackmails, lies and runs roughshod over everyone.

Written by the same talented duo who penned the Pulitzer Prize winning “You Can’t Take It With You,” Gasper said the Broadway classic is a perfect blend of high comedy and low farce, populated by an extravagant array of eccentric but believable characters.

“Throughout the play, the real-life names of numerous celebrities of that time period are mentioned,” Gasper said. “Some of them audience members may recognize; many of them they might not. Thus, I have included a list of names and who they were in the program. But to audiences of that day, the names surely resulted in a few laughs as Hart and Kaufman poked fun at the very world of which they were a part.”

First produced in 1939, the play enjoyed an extended Broadway run of 739 performances. It was later made into a movie in 1942.

“The kids have done a great job with this play,” Gasper said. “It has really come together very nicely. It’s funny and entertaining, and I think audience members will go away happy.”

General admission tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door for adults and are available at the Hays High office or from any cast member. Student tickets are $4 in advance and $5 at the door. Tickets are good for any of the three nights, and seating, while readily available, is not reserved.