‘Man Who Came to Dinner’ gives Morristown High actors taste of comedy, ’30s-style

Kirsten Traudt and Liam Mejia in MHS production of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Kirsten Traudt and Liam Mejia in MHS production of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Director Zachary Mazouat likes to challenge his young actors at Morristown High School, and they have risen to the task in The Man Who Came to Dinner, which runs from Nov. 21-23, 2014.

Nikolas Slackman and Liam Mejia in MHS production of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Nikolas Slackman, left, and Liam Mejia in MHS production of ‘The Man Who Came to Dinner.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

It’s a comedy with many moving parts and lots of dialogue larded with references from the 1930s, when Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman wrote it.

This story of an obnoxious house guest who won’t leave was inspired by a real visit to Hart’s estate by the late theater critic and radio personality Alexander Woollcott.  If the play’s pacing suggests a Marx Brothers movie, it’s no accident.

Kaufman wrote two Broadway shows (The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers) and a movie screenplay (A Night at the Opera) for the zany comedy team, and Woollcott and Harpo Marx were members of the famed Algonquin Round Table.   The character of Banjo in Dinner is patterned after Harpo, and is played with gusto by Liam Mejia.

Kirsten Traudt and Liam Mejia in MHS production of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Kirsten Traudt and Liam Mejia in MHS production of ‘The Man Who Came to Dinner.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Nikolas Slackman, a junior, earns the most points for tackling the lead role of Sheridan Whiteside, a role so tricky that the great Orson Welles refused to play it on Broadway.  (Many years later Welles did a TV version with Lee Remick, Joan Collins, Don Knotts and Marty Feldman; it made the NY Times’ “Worst of Television” list for 1972.)

During a dress rehearsal this week, Nikolas admirably navigated a script full of references to Hedy Lamarr, Lana Turner and Walt Disney…  while navigating the stage in an antique wheelchair that had shed three ball-bearings, threatening disaster at every turn. Now that’s being quick on your feet.

Camille Bourland and Raphael Pelczman in MHS production of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Camille Bourland and Raphael Pelczman in MHS production of ‘The Man Who Came to Dinner.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“This is a big role for the most-seasoned actors, let alone a junior in high school. He’s been wonderful,” said second-year Director Zach Mazouat, who wanted a change of pace from last year’s productions, the intense Our Town and whimsical Seussical.

Dinner serves some tasty comedic performances. Kirsten Traudt is a manic nurse with penguin-phobia. Raphael Pelczman has some fun with British accents; Amber Hill has fun with cockroaches.

Samantha Kenah keeps a deadly secret. Kelly Ganning and Jeremy Palmer harbor sibling secrets of their own.

Andrew Speers and Dana Demnitz in MHS production of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Andrew Speers and Dana Demnitz in MHS production of ‘The Man Who Came to Dinner.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Dana Demnitz hits the right notes as an over-the-top femme fatale, a perfect foil for Sheridan Whiteside’s prim-and-proper secretary, Maggie, played by Camille Bourland.  Henry James, master of the house, struggles to remain hospitable against impossible odds.

The third act is pretty dizzying. Make sure you have plenty of ball bearings!

Showtimes are 7:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22, and 2 pm on Sunday, Nov. 23. Tickets are $11 for adults; $6 for students, faculty and senior citizens.  Morristown High School is at 50 Early St.

the man who came to dinner

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