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Nathan Lane Stars In Roundabout's One-Night Benefit Reading of THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY
ANNOUNCES A ONE-NIGHT ONLY BENEFIT READING
Of
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
starring
NATHAN LANE JEAN SMART
And
HARRIET HARRIS
By MOSS HART and GEORGE S. KAUFMAN
Directed by SCOTT ELLIS
Featuring original cast members from the 2000 revival production:
STEPHEN DEROSA, BYRON JENNINGS, LINDA STEPHENS, HANK STRATTON,
MARY CATHERINE WRIGHT, JULIE BOYD, KIT FLANAGAN,
MARY CATHERINE GARRISON, JULIE HALSTON,
JEFFREY HAYENGA and ZACH SHAFFER.
Monday, December 7, 2015
7:00 PM
At Studio 54
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce a 50th Anniversary Season Benefit Reading of The Man Who Came to Dinner by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart starring Nathan Lane. Roundabout’s Associate Artistic Director Scott Ellis will direct this one-night only reading.
Reuniting for one night only are members of the 2000 revival production: Nathan Lane (Sheridan Whiteside), Jean Smart (Lorraine Sheldon), Harriet Harris (Maggie Cutler), Stephen Derosa (Professor Metz), Byron Jennings (Beverly Carlton), Linda Stephens (Mrs. Stanley), Hank Stratton (Bert Jefferson), Mary Catherine Wright (Miss Preen), Julie Boyd (Sarah), Kit Flanagan (Mrs. Dexter), Mary Catherine Garrison (June Stanley), Julie Halston (Mrs. McCutcheon), Jeffrey Hayenga (John), Zach Shaffer (Richard Stanley) Additional cast members to be announced.
The Benefit Reading will take place on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Studio 54.
“Bringing the company of The Man Who Came to Dinner back together is a perfect way to celebrate Roundabout’s 50th Anniversary Season. That wonderful production was the very first at the American Airlines Theatre, and it’s a theatre that is central to the impact that we’ve been able to have. More than forty productions have followed in that space, bringing the classic revivals at the heart of Roundabout’s mission to a wide audience. To me, the work of Kaufman & Hart is the gold standard for American comedy on stage, and I have fantastic memories of this piece in particular. It just doesn’t get any better than Nathan Lane in a comic tour de force like this one. I’m thrilled to revisit The Man Who Came to Dinner in this incredibly special way,” notes Artistic Director Todd Haimes.
Proceeds from the 50th Anniversary Benefit Reading of The Man Who Came to Dinner support Roundabout Theatre Company’s many programs and initiatives, including the Company Archives and Classic Play Production Fund. Classic plays are the founding cornerstone of Roundabout Theatre Company’s mission and the Classic Play Production Fund allows Roundabout to plan future productions that enrich New York City’s theatrical landscape. Roundabout’s Archives preserve materials related to current works and the 50 years of its nationally acclaimed, Tony- and Drama Desk–Awarded productions as well as institutional documents that chronicle how the company grew from a 150 seat off-off-Broadway theatre to the largest not-for-profit theatre in the country.
As a part of Roundabout’s 50th anniversary celebration, this reading reunites members of the original cast for the first time in 15 years. The Man Who Came to Dinner first appeared on Broadway in 1939. Roundabout’s 2000 revival, under the direction of Jerry Zaks, was the inaugural production at the American Airlines Theatre. The production was nominated for 2001 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and Jean Smart was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance. The acclaimed production was additionally broadcast on PBS in 2000 and later released on DVD.
Set during Christmas in the 1930s, The Man Who Came to Dinner deals with famous radio personality Sheridan Whiteside who is invited to dinner at the home of a rich factory owner. Before Whiteside enters the house, he falls and hurts his hip and ends up staying at the home to recover and consequently terrorizes the lives of the rich factory owner and his family.
VIP, Benefactor and Premium tickets include admission to an exclusive cast party following the performance.
Major support is provided by Michael T. Cohen, Colliers International LLC.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Beginning September 16, tax-deductible benefit tickets will be available by calling Roundabout's Development Office at 212-719-9393 ext 369.
Underwriter Package at $25,000 ($23,400 tax-deductible) – Includes eight premium house seats in center orchestra; listing as an Underwriter on all posters, programs and press materials below show title; invitation to exclusive pre-show cast and crew dinner for all eight guests; invitation to attend post-show cast party; and a limited edition, framed show poster signed by the company
Benefactor Ticket(s) at $2,500 ($2,300 tax-deductible) – Includes premium house seat in center orchestra, complimentary cocktail at intermission, invitation to attend post-show cast party and a limited edition, framed show poster signed by the company.
VIP Ticket(s) at $1,000 ($800 tax-deductible) - Includes premium seat in center orchestra, complimentary cocktail at intermission and an invitation to attend post-show cast party.
Premium Ticket(s) at $500 ($400 tax-deductible) - Includes orchestra seat and a complimentary cocktail at intermission
To purchase tickets at the Premium level and above, or to learn more about Underwriter Packages, please contact Natalie Rohr at 212-719-9393 ext. 369; natalier@roundabouttheatre.org.
Select orchestra and mezzanine tickets ($100 - $250) will also be available to the general public by calling Roundabout Audience Services at (212) 719-1300 or online at www.roundabouttheatre.org/themanwhocametodinner.
The evening is made possible by Benefit Underwriters Michael T. Cohen and Tom and Kitty Patterson Kempner.
Roundabout Theatre Company is committed to producing the highest quality theatre with the finest artists, sharing stories that endure, and providing accessibility to all audiences. A not-for-profit company, Roundabout fulfills its mission each season through the production of classic plays and musicals; development and production of new works by established and emerging writers; educational initiatives that enrich the lives of children and adults; and a subscription model and audience outreach programs that cultivate and engage all audiences.
Roundabout Theatre Company presents a variety of plays, musicals, and new works on its five stages, each of which is specifically designed to enhance the needs of Roundabout’s mission. Off-Broadway, the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, which houses the Laura Pels Theatre and Black Box Theatre, with its simple sophisticated design, is perfectly suited to showcasing new plays. The grandeur of its Broadway home on 42nd Street, American Airlines Theatre, sets the ideal stage for the classics. Roundabout’s Studio 54 provides an exciting and intimate Broadway venue for its musical and special event productions. The Stephen Sondheim Theatre offers a state of the art LEED certified Broadway theatre in which to stage major large-scale musical revivals. Together these distinctive homes serve to enhance Roundabout’s work on each of its stages.
American Airlines is the official airline of Roundabout Theatre Company. Roundabout productions are supported, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Roundabout’s 50th anniversary season in 2015-2016 includes: Clive Owen, Eve Best and Kelly Reilly in Old Times by Harold Pinter, directed by Douglas Hodge; Andrea Martin, Campbell Scott, Tracee Chimo, Daniel Davis, David Furr, Kate Jennings Grant, Megan Hilty, Rob McClure and Jeremy Shamos in Noises Off by Michael Frayn, directed by Jeremy Herrin; The Humans by Stephen Karam, directed by Joe Mantello; Keira Knightley, Gabriel Ebert, Matt Ryan and Judith Light in a new adaptation of Thérèse Raquin by Helen Edmundson, based upon the novel by Émile Zola, directed by Evan Cabnet; Laura Benanti, Zachary Levi, René Auberjonois, Gavin Creel, Michael McGrath and Jane Krakowski in She Loves Me by Joe Masteroff, Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, directed by Scott Ellis; Jessica Lange, Gabriel Byrne, Michael Shannon and John Gallagher, Jr. in Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Jonathan Kent. The 2015-2016 Roundabout Underground production is Ugly Lies the Bone, a new play by Lindsey Ferrentino, directed by Patricia McGregor.
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