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Friday, May 24, 2019

Theater League of Clifton to Present “The Man Who Came to Dinner”

The Man Who Came to Dinner
the classic comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman

WHEN: May 31, June 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Theresa Aprea Theater, 199 Scoles Ave., Clifton
TICKETS: adults $17 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets for seniors and students are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Group ticket sales are available. To reserve tickets call (973) 928-7668 or visit the Theater League’s website www.theaterleagueofclifton.com. The Theater League’s mailing address is PO Box 4072, Clifton, NJ 07012.

The Man Who Came to Dinner debuted on Broadway in October 1939 and was a 1942 film starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan and Monty Woolley. The comedy is set in the 1940s during the Christmas season. Sheridan Whiteside, an opinionated and arrogant radio personality, while on a speaking tour in Ohio, is invited to the home of the prominent Stanley family as a publicity stunt. However, upon his arrival, Whiteside slips at the front door, injures his hip, and a tumultuous six weeks of confinement follows.

The Stanley living room is monopolized by the irascible invalid Whiteside. Ex-convicts are invited to meals and transatlantic calls bring an outrageous phone bill. The arrival of strange gifts from his friends, along with famous guests from Hollywood and a sudden romance further destroys domestic tranquility. The family home harbors penguins in the library and an octopus in the cellar, all of which adds to the chaos.

Cast members for the show include Elizabeth Eisenmenger, John Traier, Karen Bednarz, Gary Koseyan, Debbie Buschsbaum, Carl Bergmanson, Victoria Lopez, Emma Himmelhock, Steve Adubato, Joe Krisocki, George Rex, and Lawrence Kelly.

The show is being produced through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc. Clifton residents Mark Peterson and Jalmari Vanamo are the co-producers, while Steve Bell of Hackensack serves as the director. Bell, a music teacher at Teaneck High School, last year directed the Theater League of Clifton’s production of “The Fantasticks.” Peterson is the president of the Theater League of Clifton, while Vanamo has served as musical director for many Clifton stage productions.

Founded in 2005, the Theater League of Clifton is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the arts through theatrical performances while providing quality entertainment for all ages. The Theater League of Clifton welcomes volunteers in all aspects of performance and production.

IMAGE L-R: Debbie Buchsbaum, George Rex, Karen Bednarz and Gary Koseyan