Media Contact: Dawn Kellogg Communications Manager (585) 232-1366 ext. 3059 [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Screen Plays – Hollywood’s Golden Age on Stage presents

The Man Who Came to Dinner Comedy classic in the Fielding Nextstage

December 1, 2014, Rochester, N.Y. Geva Theatre Center is delighted to host Screen Plays – Hollywood’s Golden Age on Stage, and their production of The Man Who Came to Dinner, directed by Jean Gordon Ryon, from December 18 – 27 in the Fielding Nextstage at Geva Theatre Center.

The Man Who Came to Dinner tells the tale of a world-famous celebrity critic and writer, the irascible Sheridan Whiteside, who slips on ice on the steps of a Midwestern home and turns the household upside down during his lengthy recuperation. Hollywood stars come and go; mysterious gifts are delivered; and highly questionable guests show up for lunch. Whiteside has everything his own way until his faithful secretary announces she has fallen in love with one of the locals, and Whiteside must come up with a scheme to keep her from quitting. Will he succeed, or will he be foiled by his own plan?

George Kaufman and Moss Hart wrote The Man Who Came to Dinner as a vehicle for their friend Alexander Wollcott, the inspiration behind the character of Sheridan Whiteside. Wollcott was a theatre critic and the man who helped launch the Marx Brothers. Wollcott was delighted with the play, but declined when asked to play the role of Whiteside, due to his very busy schedule. Monty Woolley played the part in the Broadway production, although Wollcott did do a turn for the West Coast premiere. Three other characters in the play are based on real-life personages of the 1930s: Lorraine Sheldon is based on Gertude Lawrence, Beverly Carlton on Noel Coward and Banjo on Harpo Marx.

The Man Who Came to Dinner premiered at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre in October 1939 where it ran until 1941. The London production was staged soon after with Robert Morley in the role of Whiteside. In 1942, the play was adapted for the silver screen with Monty Woolley reprising his role, and a cast comprised of Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Billie Burke, Jimmy Durante, Mary Wickes and Richard Travis. The play has been revived on numerous occasions.

Screen Plays’ cast includes Patrick Best as Richard Stanley, Mark Block as Banjo, Charles Cooper as the Expressman and Radio Technician, Kathy Dauer as Harriet Stanley, Ken Dauer as Bert Jefferson, Morey Fazzi as Mr. Stanley, Stacy Homola as June Stanley, Jim Howe as Sandy and Radio Technician, Kate Lacy-Stokoe as Mrs. Ernest W. Stanley, Susan Milner as Maggie Cutler, Richard Mancini as Professor Metz, Phil Ortolani as Beverly Carlton, Ray Salah as Sheridan Whiteside, Michelle Mary Schaefer as Sarah, Carol Shea as Mrs. McCutcheon, Timothy Shea as Dr. Bradley, Craig Simmons as Mr. Baker and Westcott, Roger Sutphen as John, Shawnda Urie as Miss Preen, Wendy Webster as Mrs. Dexter and Gretchen Woodward as Lorraine Sheldon.

For further information, photographs or to arrange interviews, please contact: Dawn Kellogg, Communications Manager, (585) 420 2059.

TICKET PRICES: $14 General Admission (Before December 15) $20 General Admission (After December 15) $15 student/senior $14 groups of 10+

RESERVATIONS: 232-GEVA or via the website: www.gevatheatre.org

LOCATION: Geva Theatre Center, Fielding Nextstage, 75 Woodbury Blvd, Rochester, NY 14607

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Thursday, December 18 - 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 19 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21 - 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 26 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 27- 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

GEVA THEATRE CENTER Founded in 1972, Geva Theatre Center is a not-for-profit, professional theatre company dedicated to creating and producing professional theatre productions, programs and services of a national standard. As Rochester’s leading professional theatre, Geva Theatre Center is the most attended regional theatre in New York State, and one of the 25 most attended in the country, attracting over 160,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students.

The 524-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to American and world classics. The 180- seat Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage is home to Geva’s own series of cutting-edge drama, comedy and musical theatre; Geva Comedy Improv; Geva’s New Play Reading Series and the Hornet’s Nest - an innovative play-reading series facilitating community-wide discussion on controversial topics. The Nextstage also hosts visiting companies of both local and international renown.

Geva Theatre Center offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs, nurturing audiences and artists alike. Since 1995 the organization has been led by Artistic Director Mark Cuddy.

SCREEN PLAYS ~ HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE ON STAGE What began as a love of classic Hollywood films is now a new, classical theater production company. Producer Karen Tuccio, brings more than a decade of local theater and film experience to this exciting venture. Her company will present plays from Hollywood's Golden Age that have a positive message, especially those showcasing women in the best, brightest, and most beautiful aspects of life.

*ENDS*