The Man Who Came to Dinner (play)
"The Man Who Came to Dinner" is a comedic play written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, first premiered in the 1930s. Set in the fictional town of Mesalia, Ohio, the story revolves around Sheridan Whiteside, a sharp-tongued theater critic who, after slipping on icy steps and breaking his hip, finds himself confined to the home of a wealthy local family during his recovery. The character of Whiteside is inspired by the real-life critic Alexander Woollcott, known for his biting wit and influence in the literary and entertainment worlds.
The play explores themes of social class, the impact of criticism, and the dynamics between host and guest, leading to humorous situations and tension. It has been adapted several times, including a notable 1972 television production featuring Orson Welles and a revival in 2000 starring Nathan Lane. "The Man Who Came to Dinner" continues to be performed across regional and community theaters in the United States, showcasing its lasting appeal and relevance. The play also highlights the role of critics in shaping public taste, reflecting the cultural landscape of the 1930s and beyond.
The Man Who Came to Dinner (play)
Identification Play about a pompous radio broadcaster who takes over a family’s home after injuring himself in a fall
Authors George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Date Premiered on October 16, 1939
The play was a smash hit and enjoyed a long run on Broadway. It became a film in 1941, starring Monty Woolley from the stage version, with Bette Davis and Ann Sheridan.
In the small town of Mesalia, Ohio, the famous critic Sheridan Whiteside is guest lecturing for six weeks before Christmas of 1930. At the home of Ernest W. Stanley, a wealthy factory owner, Whiteside slips on icy steps, breaks his hip, and is confined to a wheelchair in the Stanley home for his recuperation.
Before The Man Who Came to Dinner, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart had already had two smash hits with their stage comedies Once in a Lifetime (1930) and You Can’t Take It with You (1936). The inspiration for the title character, Sheridan Whiteside, was the American critic and commentator Alexander Woollcott, known for his acerbic wit and thorny personality as a member of the Algonquin Round Table.
Orson Welles played the title role in a 1972 television production that received mixed reviews. The play was revived in 2000, first as the Kaufman and Hart stage play, starring Nathan Lane, then as a televised broadcast on October 7, 2000, of the Roundabout Theatre production. It continues to enjoy regular productions at regional and community theaters around the United States.
Impact
The Man Who Came to Dinner contributed to the evolution of the talk shows of the radio personalities of the 1930’s, who played key roles in setting the nation’s tastes and styles. As critics, men similar to the character of Sheridan Whiteside were able to make or break careers overnight. Woollcott, for example, contributed indispensably to the career of the Marx Brothers.
Bibliography
Brown, Jared, and Moss Hart. Moss Hart: A Prince of the Theatre—A Biography in Three Acts. New York: Back Stage Books, 2006.
Drennan, Robert E. The Algonquin Wits. Bridgewater, N.J.: Replica Books, 1999.
Goldstein, Malcolm. George S. Kaufman: His Life, His Theater. New York: Oxford University Press, 1979.
Meredith, Scott. George S. Kaufman and the Algonquin Round Table. Winchester, Mass.: Unwin Hyman, 1977.