Cast members rehearse a scene from the Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Theatre’s upcoming production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner," opening in W. M. Turner Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, and running through Feb. 28. Pictured, from left, are: Marjorie Kammerlohr, Carrollton junior; Shawna Lynch, Eustace freshman; David S. Raine, SFA theatre alum; David English and Brandon Woods of Nacogdoches; Robert Bills, Freeport sophomore; Ian Morgan of Nacogdoches; Thomas Brazzle, Arlington freshman; and Stefanie Fullbright, Humble freshman.

For Immediate Release

Janice Christensen – February 11, 2004

SFA To Present Faculty, Community in Comedy

The Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Theatre will present George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, through Saturday, Feb. 28, in W. M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. In addition to SFA theatre students, the cast includes members of the community and SFA theatre faculty and staff.

David S. Raine, an SFA theatre alumnus and book buyer at the University Center Bookstore, will play the part of Sheridan Whiteside, a New York radio commentator who fractures his hip while visiting some acquaintances in Ohio and must remain in their home while recuperating.

Whiteside’s demands on his hosts, the steady stream of visitors and unusual gifts such as a crate full of penguins and a roach farm will keep the audience laughing, said Oster. The audience will also enjoy seeing some SFA theatre faculty playing unusual walk-on roles, Oster added.

Dr. Clarence W. Bahs, chair of the Department of Theatre, plays a prison guard who oversees four convicts portrayed by Dr. Alan Nielson, professor; Tomy Matthys, associate professor; Rick Jones, assistant professor; and Steve Shirey, technical director for the department.

The production also calls for a small choir of elementary school-age boys. These roles are being played by David English, son of David and Magda English; Eric Manis, son of Greg and Mary Scott; Ian Morgan, son of Ed and Kristen Morgan; and Brandon Woods, son of Alan and Shelly Woods. The boys are all music students of Miki Fryar at Christ Episcopal School.

The play was first performed in 1939 and was made into a film in 1941, starring Monte Woolley as Whiteside and Bette Davis as his secretary, Maggie Cutler. In 2000, New York’s Roundabout Theater revived the play with Nathan Lane as Whiteside and Harriet Harris as Maggie. This production was broadcast as a live performance on PBS’ "Stage on Screen."

SFA’s production is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts, the University Series and the Department of Theatre.

On opening night, the College of Fine Arts will host a 6:45 p.m. reception in Griffith Gallery to honor the production’s corporate sponsor, Tipton Ford. At 7 p.m., Oster will speak about the production.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students.

Please call (936) 468-6407 or 1-888-240-ARTS for tickets or information about group discounts. Online tickets are available at www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

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