THEATER: The Man Who Came To Dinner

THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER is currently playing at Boal Barn and the opening night attendance was proof of how badly we need local coverage of the arts.  State College Community Theatre provided another fun evening, but few people were aware that a show was going on. I really wish that The Weekender could cover, once a week, the local arts as well as the sports section covers local sports daily.

Now that I have that off my chest, allow me to tell you why you need to go to Boalsburg before THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER is over. The show is funny, well directed, well-acted, and the producers have even included a glossary of terms in the program for those of you who are too young to remember Katherine Cornell, Jascha Heifetz, or Margaret Bourke White. (There is a lot of “name dropping in the play.)

The story involves the Stanley family who is initially thrilled that the famous Sheridan Whiteside has broken his hip going into their home and will be forced to spend an extended visit. A visit spent in a wheelchair. They quickly come to realize that the time will also be spent following his dictatorial demands.

This show requires a very strong male actor to play Whiteside and Jason Poorman was well cast. He knew when to harass, when to flatter, and when to be extremely sly. Playing a strong, bigger than life character from a wheelchair must be difficult, but Jason made good use of the complete stage.

Kat Shondeck gets my personal Tony for her role as Whiteside’s long suffering assistant, Maggie. If a good performance is more about re-acting than acting, she was brilliant. Her facial expressions spoke louder than most actress’ speech.

It is always a delight to watch Katie Kensinger vamp up a stage whether she is playing the long suffering Miss Adelaide or the glamorous Lorraine Sheldon, the man stealing friend of Sheridan Whiteside. Katie had an opportunity to show a range of acting skills as she went from seductive to revengeful all in one scene. The silver and black gown did her figure justice……or maybe it was the other way around.

To me the best part of local theatre is watching actors show what they can do in a multiple series of roles. I love to see versatility. This list of talents has to include Jonathan Hetler. His over-the-top portrayal of Beverly Carlton was pure fun and different than other roles I have seen him in. Very good.
Local theatre buffs are very familiar with the name of Martha Traverse for her work on and back stage. Her part in THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER was listed as a “cameo” performance. Trust me, she almost steals the show as the batty sister Harriet Stanley. Again, folks, there are no small parts in the theatre!

The rest of the cast also deserve special recognition and from the talent spread among them, if they have not been mentioned from earlier shows, you will be hearing about them in the future.

September is an idyllic time to visit the Barn; the weather is just about ideal and the staff has chosen the perfect show to end what was a superlative season. The program for this last show of the summer season has a teaser in the form of the list of next summer’s shows. Look for me there next year.
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER will be at the Barn until September the 15th.

For ticket information, please visit their website.