A star-studded cast led by Tony-winner Walter Bobbie and Broadway and Hollywood star Brooke Shields is featured in a benefit reading of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s iconic comedy, The Man Who Came to Dinner, directed by Marsha Mason for Bucks County Playhouse.
Performances will be held at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., followed by a reading in New York at the WP Theater, 2162 Broadway at 76th St., on Monday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.
The benefit readings of The Man Who Came to Dinner continue the Playhouse Play Discovery Series. Curated by Mason, the series is designed to expose audiences to lesser known classic plays, as well as new works. In celebration of the Playhouse’s 80th anniversary, Mason chose to take a look at the Playhouse’s storied history – featuring plays that have significant meaning to the Playhouse.
Playhouse producing director Alexander Fraser, executive producer Robyn Goodman and producer Josh Fiedler announced the initial casting for the reading. Full casting will be announced shortly.
“One of the funniest plays ever written, I’m delighted to tackle this great play and work with Walter and Brooke on bringing it to life for these two presentation,” said Mason.
The Man Who Came to Dinner was first presented at Bucks County Playhouse in a July 1941 production that featured the playwrights, Kaufman and Hart, along with Kitty Carlisle and Harpo Marx in his only speaking role on stage.
In the play, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest W. Stanley are thrilled when Sheridan Whiteside, the brilliant, witty and widely beloved radio celebrity, accepts their invitation to dinner on his tour through their little town in Ohio. When Whiteside slips on a piece of ice on their doorstep and is confined to their home for the better part of December, however, the Stanleys’ lives are unexpectedly and hilariously turned upside down.
Tickets for the New Hope reading are $25. Tickets for the New York City reading are also $25 general admission. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for the New Hope reading for $75 and includes a post-reading reception. Tickets for the New York event must be purchased in advance. Tickets are not available for purchase at the WP Theater box office or at the venue the night of the show. Tickets for both evenings may be purchased at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the Playhouse box office at 215-862-2121. The Playhouse is located at 70 S. Main St., New Hope.
