1999 Miracle Yearbook

R ehearsing for Cedarville's last spring production of the century, The Man Who Came to Dinner,has inspired cast and crew alike. "It hasn't seemed like work--more like playtime in every rehearsal," actress Jen Groff said. "There's been a real sense offun in the rehearsals--actors doing fun things,crazy things, being totally off the wall," stage director Matt Hermiz said. Written in 1939 by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart,the play originally proved to be their breakthrough piece, winning Best Play ofthe Year Honors and having(at 739 performances) one ofthe longest runs of the decade. Cedarville's version has been updated to the 1970s. Director David Robey explains the rationale for the update:"When it premiered in 1939,the play was a Who's Who of America--from politics to Broadway to film. There are over fifty names dropped [mentioned],most of which are unreachable to our students." And,much ofthe play's humor derives from the glamour and name-dropping. "It's the collision oftwo worlds--the fast-paced, elegant world ofentertainment and the slow paced,simple world of Masalia,Ohio," Robey said. When famous radio personality Sheridan Whiteside grudgingly accepts a holiday dinner invitation to the home of Mr.and Mrs. Ernest W.Stanley, he falls victim to a small spot oftreacherous Ohio ice and breaks his hip. Unable to be moved without risking further injury, Whiteside takes over the Stanley house, banishing the family to the rooms upstairs with the threat of a lawsuit,and the parade offamous people(and their rather unusual Christmas gifts) begins. With 40 roles played by 22 actors, there is plenty ofroom for StOltyjnad stretching. Freshman Jeremy Sanders plays six minor roles in the play. "One ofthe values of a play like this is that it departs from reality, goes into arena of over-the-top characterization," Robey said. "This play allows the actors room to play on eccentricities. The fact that it is 50 years old and still being produced shows its power--it's an interesting verhicle." Senior Chris Pierre, who played Whiteside,comes closest to stealing the show of anyone. Hermiz said,"Pierre is doing a tremendousjob, wildly improvisational, tremendous instincts in terms of performance. He comes up with a new thing every day." T eftur main,characters- kepttheaactiexce in,stitches throughout th ,eirperftrmah.ce . W itvidejivetadvice,on,tiwfuture, to Hrriet(Claris-sa,Baia)makesow,of Rickard(Mille-Skeithud)tout severed tri.s-its to whitesile.(Pierre,) Jukeak4uta,Barba). during his stay. FALL PLAY0