The Man Who Came To Dinner - Auditions

High Point Community Theatre announces Auditions for THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman


Auditions will be held for the final production of High Point Community Theatre’s 2006-2007, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER on Thursday, March 22nd and Sunday, March 25th at 7:00 pm in the Dining Hall of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point.

Those auditioning for this classic comedy will be asked to read from the script – no preparation is necessary.

THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER is being directed by Daniel Seaman and will be performed May 17 – 20, 2007 at the High Point Theatre.

Casting will be done for the following roles…

Sheridan Whitesides – Famous American Orator
Lorraine Sheldon – Famous Actress
Maggie Cutler, Whitesides’ secretary
Bert Jefferson, Newspaper Editor
Ernest Stanley - Homeowner
Daisy Stanley – His wife
June Stanley – Stanley’s Daughter (Appx 20 yrs old)
Sandy – June Stanley’s Boyfriend (Appx 20 yrs old)
Richard Stanley – Stanley’s Son (Appx 21 yrs old)
Harriet Stanley – Mr. Stanley’s sister
Professor Metz – The World’s Greatest Entomologist
Dr. Bradley – Local Physician
Miss Preen – A Nurse
Beverly Carlton – English Thespian and friend of Whiteside
Banjo – A Hollywood Comedian
John, The Butler
Sarah, The Cook
Mrs. Dexter – The Stanley’s Neighbor and Friend
Mrs. McCutcheon – The Stanley’s Neighbor and Friend
Supporting Roles of Prisoners, Moving Men, Prison Guards, Police Officers, Deputies, Radio Technicians (Adults and Older Teenagers)

Total cast size of 20 – 25
Teenagers who can play 20ish are encouraged to audition for the roles of June, Sandy and Richard as well as supporting roles.

THE STORY: Sheridan Whiteside, having dined at the home of the Stanley’s, slips on their doorstep, breaking his hip. A tumultuous six weeks of confinement follow. The Stanley living room is monopolized by the irascible invalid; ex-convicts are invited to meals; and transatlantic calls bring a $784 phone bill. The arrival of strange gifts from his friends further destroys domestic tranquility. It would take a stoical housewife to harbor penguins in her library, an octopus in her cellar, and 10,000 cockroaches in her kitchen. When Maggie, his secretary, falls in love with the reporter, Bert Jefferson, Whiteside summons a glamorous actress, Lorraine, to win the affections of the young man. Knowing the girl's charms, Maggie enlists the aid of a clever impersonator who, affecting the voice of Lord Bottomley, whom the actress hopes to marry, asks her by phone to return to him and be married. The ruse almost works, but Whiteside, becoming suspicious, finds that no calls have come through from London. In revenge, Lorraine suggests a three-week rewrite on a play of Bert's in which she feigns great interest. Lake Placid is to furnish the quiet for his inspiration, and she is to be his collaborator. The unexpected arrival of a mummy case, just as the relenting Whiteside is frantically seeking to get rid of Lorraine, furnishes a malicious idea. Tricking her into stepping into the case, he shuts the lid and blackmails his host into having the case carried to the airport, preparatory to a round-the-world cruise. Whiteside departs from the Stanley's home triumphantly, but a second later a crash is heard—he has again slipped and fallen!


For further information, email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or call Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542.