The Man Who Came to Dinner

It’s the 1930s, and Sheridan Whiteside, a larger-than-life New York City theater critic and radio personality, is The Man Who Came to Dinner. Much to the chagrin of anyone unlucky enough to spend any time with him, Whiteside is always right, always in charge and always demanding more — of everything. His visit to the very proper Stanley family should have been just an uncomfortable dinner, but he falls, hurts his hip and has to spend six weeks recuperating in the Stanleys’ living room during which Whiteside takes over not just the household but the Stanleys themselves.

Playwrights George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart based the Whiteside character on their real-life friend Alexander Woollcott and his visit to Hart’s country house (some friend!). The 1939 script holds up better than most because, as Kaufman and Hart well knew, bossy, self--congratulating jackasses transcend time and location. Previews start February 20; opening night is February 25. 7:30 p.m. most Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. most Sundays. Through March 22. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas. For a complete schedule and information, call 713-220-5700 or visit www.alleytheatre.org. $21 to $77.

Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Feb. 20. Continues through March 22, 2009