Written by Sophie List ’19

The Hebron Academy Players are excited to present The Man Who Came To Dinner which will be playing in the Androscoggin Theater on February 23rd and 24th. The Man Who Came To Dinner is a comedy about radio personality Sheridan Whiteside who becomes an unexpected houseguest at the Stanleys’ home after falling and breaking his hip on their doorstep. The play follows the strange time during which Mr. Whiteside lives in their home and consequently turns their lives upside down.

This year’s play is different from those in the past for many reasons. Ms. Coleman, the director, decided it was time to switch things up and Hebron is doing a straight play as opposed to a musical for the first time in many years. Regarding this decision she said she hoped it would get other people involved who did not want to participate in a musical. She also said, “In both the professional world and college they produce more plays than musicals. So if students want to go on and do theater in college, having done a play is important.”

Additionally, many of the props have been built by Hebron’s art classes. Mr. Tholen’s3D art classes were tasked with building a cockroach farm, a massive animal crate, and an Egyptian sarcophagus. It is not just art classes that have been helping out with the production, but the entire community has been indispensable in creating the play. Students have volunteered on weekends to help build, paint, and put up the set. Also, many faculty members and student’s families have volunteered props or other necessities for the production. The drama crew would also like to extend a massive thanks to the folks at Maintenance, to Mr. Bill Anderson, and of course to Ms. Coleman because without her endless dedication to the cast and this production, none of this would have been possible.

Morgan Prentice ‘19, one of the leads, urges everyone to come see the play because, “The cast and crew and Ms. Coleman, of course, put a tremendous amount of work into this play and we would love it if everyone in the community would come to see our hard work.” She guarantees it will be worthwhile and promises: “fun, excitement, action, drama, and gossip.” If you enjoy any or all of these things in a play, make sure to come down to the Androscoggin Theater on February 23rd and 24th at 7:30 PM to see The Man Who Came To Dinner!