A humorous play about a dinner guest who unexpectedly ends up staying at his hosts’ home for several weeks after breaking his hip is opening this Friday and runs through Dec. 8 at PowPAC.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner” revolves around theater critic Sheridan Whiteside (played by Steve Murdock) and his extended stay with the Stanleys after he is injured from slipping on their doorstep. As Midwesterners, the small-town family does not have as much sophistication as the city-dwelling Whiteside even though they are wealthy, said director Rhiannon McAfee.
“He is a man from New York, from the city, very educated and from the theater circle, who ends up staying with conservative folks from Ohio,” McAfee said. “He turns their lives upside down.”
Whiteside is a demanding houseguest. During his six weeks of confinement he forces everyone in town to cater to him. Complicating the situation, his secretary resigns after falling in love with a local reporter and Whiteside is not happy about that.
The play was written in 1939 by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman about their friend Alexander Woollcott.
“He was a renowned theater critic and a bit of a curmudgeon,” McAfee said.
However, she added that Woollcott was so pleased with the script that was part tribute, part roast from his friends that he portrayed the lead role himself on Broadway.
“Apparently, he enjoyed that they were making fun of him,” she said.
A later update to the script set the play in 1940, in the period between the U.S. getting out of the Great Depression and before entering World War II in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. McAfee said there are some very specific time references in the play, but topically it is still relevant over eight decades later.
“The humor lives up to the time and the different themes ring true today,” she said. “It is about different walks of life relating to each other.”
She said the play is “very nostalgic … funny and witty.”
McAfee has appeared on PowPAC’s stage a few times as an actor, but this is the El Cajon resident’s first time directing one of its shows. She has acted and directed at theaters throughout San Diego County for many years, ever since being bitten by the theater bug during high school when she had to fill an arts requirement.
“I magically discovered that I enjoyed acting,” McAfee said about her time appearing on the University City High School stage. “My mom did theater as well and I loved to read Shakespeare and plays (while growing up).”
Picking a favorite — acting or directing — is impossible for McAfee, who compared it to having to identify a favorite child.
“Honestly, I like both in completely different ways,” she said. “When I am directing I wish I was acting, and when acting I wish I was directing.”
McAfee has now done both for “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” When Murdock — PowPAC’s artistic director — approached her about directing one of the shows the community theater board planned for the 2024-25 season, she had recently just completed performing audio drama of this play.
“I found it incredibly witty, funny … and I love history. The characters are very interesting,” McAfee said about why she jumped at the chance to direct it.
The original script has 30 characters. Due to the small size of PowPAC’s stage, she said they condensed it to 28 characters who are portrayed by 14 actors. This means some play multiple roles. Most have two or three parts, but Kerry Menchin has the most — a total of six, including two that are sizable roles. The other four are smaller, one-time appearances. This means she has to quickly change costumes throughout the show, McAfee said.
In addition to Murdock and Menchin, the cast includes Andrea Roebuck, Alayne Flores, Aion Harrison, Peggy Daly, Becca Lynne, Haig Koshkarian, William Rickman, Elaine Litton, Richard Cajka, Morgan Miller, Ashley Arnold and Lucinda Moaney.
The show runs about 2 hours, 30 minutes with one intermission, McAfee said. The show is appropriate for all ages.
PowPAC has 10 EXMAX listening devices available for free use during the show. A current photo ID is required to reserve.
Throughout the play’s run, PowPAC will also be accepting donations of unwrapped toys for the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner” can be seen at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 8 to Dec. 8. There will also be 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on Nov. 16, 30 and Dec. 7. There will be no evening performance on Dec. 7.
Tickets are $26 for adults; $24 for seniors, students and active duty military; and $22 for groups of 10 or more attending the same show. Buy at PowPAC.org or call 858-679-8085.
PowPAC is at 13250 Poway Road on the second floor of the Lively Center. Those who want to use the elevator can park behind the building.
