Notre Dame presents 'The Man Who Came to Dinner'

When Notre Dame Regional High School theater arts teacher Cindy King chose "The Man Who Came to Dinner" as the school's fall play, she did so because its variety of characters offered parts to inexperienced students, as well as those with more seasoning on the boards.

Will Graham, left, and Sydney Thuirer play Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Stanley during rehearsal.

But it also lets the children involved in the play take part in all aspects of the production -- from building sets to basking in the spotlight -- and learn more about what goes into stagecraft.

Moss Hart's and George Kaufman's "The Man Who Came to Dinner" had its debut in 1939. The play centers on radio personality Sheridan Whiteside, played by Ethan Protzel, who slips and falls on the steps of a rich Ohio businessman's home.

Whiteside winds up staying with the family -- and taking over the household. He entertains his own guests and won't let anyone use the phone or the front door, King said.

Whiteside's secretary, portrayed by Amber Vandeven, keeps his life organized and then she meets Burt Jefferson, played by Griffin Patterson, and falls in love. Whiteside can't accept it and plots to stop the romance.

"It's a family-friendly show. Little children might not get the dialogue, but it's got a lot of the physicality in the comedy," King said.

Katie Emmendorfer plays June Stanley during rehearsal for “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”

Jamison Ashworth, Emily Toot, Becky Earley, Sydney Thuirer, Abby Ritter and Patterson all play dual roles in the play -- on stage and behind the scenes.

Despite the work, everyone said they feel the play is too much fun to miss out on. And for some it caps their high school careers.

"I like that it's a comedy, which is a change from our last two productions," Patterson said.

Thuirer said this has been the most intense production for her personally, because of her technical work. " ... You have this much time to get an entire set done and dry before the curtain opens Thursday," she said.

Earley noted that because she's involved in the backstage and acting segments of the play, she now has a feeling for both aspects.

Ethan Protzel plays Sheridan Whiteside during rehearsal for the Notre Dame Regional High School production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner," Tuesday, Nov. 5. (Adam Vogler)

"It feels so good just to be in it and know what's going on," Earley said. "I started off doing backstage work, so I didn't realize how much work acting is."

"The Man Who Came to Dinner" is set for 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday in the school cafeteria. Tickets are available for $10 each.

King said it's the first time the school has featured the play, which has been in process since September.

"It is so rewarding to watch students who aren't usually in the same group be able to work with each other and be able to create that believable connection," King said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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