THEATRE + COMEDY

The Alley Theatre presents The Man Who Came to Dinner.  By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.  Directed by John Rando.

Previews start February 20, 2009
Opens February 25, 2009
Ends March 22, 2009
Hubbard Stage

In this hilarious comedy, Sheridan Whiteside, theatre critic, lecturer, and radio personality, who, arriving to dine at the home of the prominent Stanley family in a small Midwestern town, slips on their doorstep and injures his hip. A tumultuous six weeks of confinement follow, during which Whiteside monopolizes the living room and takes over the Stanley household.

Before it's over, the outrageous has become commonplace.

This large cast comedy will feature Alley Company members playing a most extravagant array of eccentric characters.

Recommended for general audiences.

Native Houstonian John Rando, winner of the Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Urinetown, The Musical returns to the Alley Theatre having previously directed Be My Baby. Other Broadway credits include The Wedding Singer, A Thousand Clowns, Dance of the Vampires, and The Dinner Party. Regional credits include productions at The Old Globe, the Mark Taper Forum, the Geffen Playhouse, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Cleveland Play House, and Syracuse Stage, among many others. Rando was a Drama League directing fellow and in 2004 received The Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award from the University of Texas.

The cast of The Man Who Came to Dinner features Alley Theatre Resident Company Actors Jeffrey Bean as John, James Belcher as Mr. Stanley, James Black as Sheridan Whiteside, Bettye Fitzpatrick as Mrs. McCutcheon, Elizabeth Heflin as Lorraine Sheldon, Paul Hope as Beverly Carlton, Chris Hutchison as Sandy/Luncheon Guest, Charles Krohn as Dr. Bradley, Emily Neves as June Stanley, John Tyson as Professor Mertz/Banjo and Todd Waite as Bert Jefferson.

Also included in the cast is Marjorie Carroll as Mrs. Dexter (Alley's Trelawney of the Wells, Our Town, Steel Magnolias), Sarah Gaston as Sarah (Alley's A Christmas Carol), Adam N. Gibbs as Luncheon Guest/Westcott/Deputy (Alley's A Christmas Carol ), Josie de Guzman as Maggie Cutler (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, The Clean House, Subject to Fits), Kimberly King as Harriet Stanley (Alley's House, Garden, Life X 3, A Flea in Her Ear), Christianne Mays as Mrs. Ernest Stanley (Alley's The Heiress, I Hate Hamlet, The Mousetrap), Kalob Martinez as Luncheon Guest/Expressman/Radio Technician/Deputy (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, A Christmas Carol), Justin O'Brien as Mr. Baker/Radio Technician/A Plainclothes Man (Alley Debut), Spencer Plachy as Richard Stanley (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, A Christmas Carol) and Anne Quackenbush as Miss Preen (Alley's The Unexpected Guest, Mousetrap, You Can't Take It With You)

The design team of The Man Who Came to Dinner includes Scenic Design by Alexander Dodge (Alley's Be My Baby), Costume Design by Gregory Gale (Alley Debut, Broadway credits include Cyrano de Bergerac, The Wedding Singer, Urinetown, The Musical), Lighting Design by Pat Collins (Alley's Arsenic and Old Lace, Journey's End, The Underpants) and Sound Design by Pierre Dupree (Alley's The Santaland Diaries, Secret Order).

Special Audience Programs:

CAPTIONED AND AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Saturday, February 21, 2:30 PM
The Alley Theatre is pleased to offer open captioning and audio description for many of our productions throughout the season. To ensure that your seats will accommodate your needs, please call the box office 713.220.5700 when ordering tickets to this performance. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. Call 713.315.3346 for more information.

 

 

Mix & Mingle Thursday, February 26 6:00-7:15PM
Mix & Mingle with other theatre fans at the Timpano Chop House, 3 blocks from the Alley at 610 Main St.
Come join like-minded theatre goers for pre-curtain cocktails and complimentary appetizers at Timpano Chop House. Then, continue the evening by strolling to Alley Theatre to see the 7:30 p.m. performance of The Man Who Came to Dinner. This event is perfect for singles and couples alike to meet new friends at hot downtown restaurants, and experience theatre in new ways. We recommend that you park at Alley Theatre, then walk the three short blocks to Timpano Chop House.

 

The Alley Theatre is pleased to offer open captioning and audio description for many of our productions throughout the season. To ensure that your seats will accommodate your needs, please call the box office 713.220.5700 when ordering tickets to this performance. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. Call 713.315.3346 for more information.
Saturday, February 21, 2:30 PM

 

CAPTIONED AND AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE

 

The pre-show party is FREE and exclusively for Alley Theatre ticket holders for the Thursday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. performance. To buy a ticket which required for the mixer use promo code: MINGLE. Purchase online or call the box office at 713-220-5700, then press 1. For more information about this event, please e-mail Lizz Eynatten or call 713-315-5404. 

Pages & Stages Tuesday, March 3 6:30-7:15PM
Located in the Plaza Studio at the Alley Theatre, this group is for the bookworm in every theatre buff.
Alley Theatre is partnering with the Houston Public Library and Brazos Bookstore for this new pre-curtain event. This event combines the imagination of the written word with the excitement of live theatre. It is suggested (but not required) that patrons read the selected book that complements each Hubbard Stage production. Participants will enjoy a pre-curtain discussion group led by special guests from the Houston area, then attend the performance. For The Man Who Came to Dinner, the selected piece is Act One by Moss Hart. Refreshments will be served. After the performance, readers can stay for an additional Talk Back led by Alley cast members and artistic staff.

This pre-curtain event is FREE with your ticket to the Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. performance of The Man Who Came to Dinner. To participate in the pre- and post-show discussions, a ticket must be purchased for the performance using the promo code: PagesAndStages. Purchase online or call the box office at 713-220-5700, then enter 1. For more information, please e-mail Lizz Eynatten or call 713-315-5404.

ActOUT Thursday, March 5 6:00-7:15PM
Join the hottest GLBT Theatre event in town!
ActOUT heads into its fifth season with a variety of events and productions that will once again have Houston’s GLBT community talking. Patrons enjoy fabulous pre-performance mixers with music, socializing and complimentary cocktails, all with a spectacular view from high above downtown Houston from the Alley Theatre's 4th Floor Terrace Room. Don’t miss the fantastic complimentary appetizers provided by Picazo Restaurant Bar & Grill. The place to see and be seen, ActOUT is sure to be a great night on the town.

This pre-curtain event is FREE with your ticket to the March 5, 7:30 p.m. performance. To buy a ticket, required for this event, use the promo code: ACTOUT. Purchase online or call the box office at 713-220-5700, then enter 1. For more information, please e-mail Lizz Eynatten or call 713-315-5404.