The Man Who Came to Dinner

Synopsis of the Play:
“Sheridan Whiteside, critic, lecturer, wit, radio orator, intimate friend of the great and near great, last week found his celebrated wit no weapon with which to combat an injured hip. The Falstaffian Mr. Whiteside, trekking across the country on one of his annual lecture tours, met his Waterloo in the shape of a small piece of ice
on the doorstep of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Stanley, of Mesalia, Ohio. Result: Cancelled lectures and disappointment to thousands of adoring clubwomen in Omaha, Denver, and points West. Further result: The idol of the airwaves rests until further notice in home of surprised Mr. and Mrs. Stanley. Possibility: Christmas may be postponed this year.”

So runs the lead article in the Christmas 1939 issue of Time magazine. Whiteside turns the Stanley household upside down, forcing everyone in town to cater to his egotistical demands. Meanwhile, his beloved secretary has given her notice after falling in love with a local reporter, and Whiteside must engage every weapon in his considerable arsenal of guile and manipulation to keep her in his employ—including blackmail, deceit, and the intervention of the fading sexpot actress Lorraine Sheldon and the elegant British wit of playwright Beverly Carlton. A three-ring circus of machinations and celebrity appearances ensues.


About the Characters: Casting sixteen (16) adults
SHERIDAN WHITESIDE
:
Age: Portray 40s to 60s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost always on stage
Characteristics: Portly and Falstaffian, Whiteside is an acerbic, quick-witted, high-energy, and high maintenance radio personality who comes to dominate the Stanley household. He says and does whatever he wants regardless of the consequences. Despite his bombastic demeanor, he does have his charms—inspiring loyalty from anyone who can dodge his barbs. Sheridan is bigger than life and always right.

MAGGIE CUTLER:
Age: Portray late 20s to early 40s
Presenting: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: On stage for majority of play
Characteristics: Maggie is an efficient, smart assistant to Sheridan. She can match Whiteside barb for barb and knows all his secrets. She’s all business and has no time for Sheridan’s narcissistic nonsense. She dispatches the details of his life with military efficiency and has developed a playful working relationship with Sheridan—making him seem more human. She’s restless though—eager for a little romance and to be out from under Sheridan’s shadow. When needed, she can defend herself and those she cares about.

LORRAINE SHELDON:
Age: Portray late 20s to late 30s
Presenting: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Major Supporting
Stage Time: Major Supporting
Characteristics: Lorraine is a beautiful, over-the-top stage actress who will do anything for a part—”a siren of no mean talents.” She’s convinced she’s right for every role and every man, and she will travel the world to land a part…or the man of her dreams. She is always dramatic and always the center of attention—if she isn’t the center of attention, the solution (of course) is to just be more dramatic.
The actor playing Lorraine will also play Mrs. Dexter in Act 1—Mrs. Dexter is a high society, gossipy housewife over the moon to meet Whiteside.

BERT JEFFERSON:
Age: Late 20s to early 40s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Major Supporting
Stage Time: Major Supporting
Characteristics: Bert is an earnest, ambitious local reporter eager to interview Sheridan. He is warm and charming and clearly bright. But he’s no match for the schemes of Sheridan and Lorraine. An “interesting-looking man” who is an aspiring playwright and falls madly in love with the loyal and hard-working Maggie.

PREEN:
Age: 18 to late 50s
Presenting: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Major Supporting
Stage Time: Major Supporting
Characteristics: Preen is a no-nonsense nurse whose face tells it all. Preen’s deadpan delivery and matter-of-fact manner contrast sharply to Sheridan’s verbal calisthenics. The constant butt of Whiteside’s insults and name-calling, Preen is stressed, unhappy, and righteously indignant.

DAISY STANLEY:
Age: Portray 50s
Presenting: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Supporting
Stage Time: Supporting
Characteristics: Stately and well-to-do, Mrs. Stanley is the epitome of a Midwestern country-club wife. Sweet, earnest, but a little high strung, Mrs. Stanley does her best to manage her husband’s temper and Whiteside’s antics.

ERNEST W. STANLEY:
Age: Portray 50s to early 60s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Supporting
Stage Time: Supporting
Characteristics: Mr. Stanley is a conservative, proper businessman and father. He is used to order in his upscale, Ohio home. He tolerates Sheridan’s chaos at first to appease his wife, but his patience wears thin.

PROFESSOR METZ / BANJO:
Age: Late 30s to late 60s
Presenting: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: Act 1—Metz is the world’s foremost authority on insects. Metz gives off a serious mad scientist vibe and really wants to show you his favorite cockroach. An indistinct European accent would be a plus. Act 2—Banjo is a close, close friend of Whiteside and is modeled after Harpo Marx. Physical comedy ability would be a plus.
The actor playing Metz/Banjo will also play a member of the choir.

BEVERLY CARLTON:
Age: Portray 30s – 40s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: Beverly is a confident, British actor who dominates a room when he enters. Upper class British dialect required. Ability to sing a little is a plus.
The actor playing Beverly will also play Henderson in Act 1 and be a member of the choir.

HARRIET STANLEY:
Age: Portray 50s to 70s
Presenting: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: Harriet is the elusive and mysterious sister of Mr. Stanley who is “not quite of this world.” She seems to appear from nowhere and has an odd and elusive connection to Sheridan.
The actor playing Harriet will also play Mrs. McCutcheon (a high society, gossipy housewife over the moon to meet Whiteside) and a member of the choir

SARAH:
Age: Portray 30s – 60s
Presenting: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: Sarah is the chef of the house. She’s exacting and diligent, eager to please. She’s quite taken by Sheridan.
The actor playing Sarah will also play a member of the choir.

JOHN:
Age: Portray 30s – 60s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: John is the head butler of the Stanley household. He runs a tight ship, but early on develops an affinity for Sheridan’s chaotic and colorful life.


JUNE STANLEY:
Age: Portray early 20s
Presenting: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: June is the spirited and charming daughter of the Stanley’s. She, like her brother, loves her parents, but is ready to be set free. She has a secret romance with Sandy, a man who does not meet the approval of her father.
The actor playing June will also play “first radio gal.”

RICHARD STANLEY:
Age: Portray mid-to-late 20s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: Richard is the son of the Stanleys. He’s earnest, hard-working, and well-intentioned. He respects his parents, but finds himself ready to set out on his own and pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. At first intimidated by Sheridan, he grows to admire Sheridan’s zest for life.
The actor playing Richard will also play an Expressman

DR. BRADLEY:
Age: Portray mid-to-late 50s – 70s
Presenting: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: The doctor is benign, somewhat daft, and gets a little confused by the details of medicine. The doctor is desperate to have their memoirs published.
The actor playing Dr. Bradley will also play Michaelson and the plainclothesman.


SANDY:
Age: Portray 20s to 30s
Presenting: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Minor Supporting
Stage Time: Minor Supporting
Characteristics: Sandy is the boyfriend of June, working-class union leader who is trying to organize the men in Mr. Stanley’s plant. He loves June but has disdain for Mr. Stanley and his conservative politics.
The actor playing Sandy will also play Baker, Westcott, and a Deputy.