Critique Paper The Man Who Came to Dinner Essays -

Mr. Hooker HUMA 1315-3B1 14 Sept. 2015 Critique Paper: The Man Who Came to Dinner The Man Who Came to Dinner is a broadcast of a live performance at the Roundabout Theater Companys revival of the classic 1939 George Kaufman and Moss Harts comedy, about a famous sharp-tongued theater critic who is forced to stay in a Midwestern couples home and chaos follows. The play was wonderfully executed with a combination of high-impact comedy and just enough drama from an enthusiastically, talented cast. The play consists of an extravagant group of unconventional but believable characters which the cast members portray with such ease. The chemistry between the cast is clear and their enjoyment on stage is apparent to the audience. Projection and timing of the lines by the cast further enhances a positive experience for the audience. Stage presence among the cast flows with great effortlessness which is partly due to the set design. The set design by Tony Walton, costume designs by William Ivey Long, and lighting design by Paul Gallo are all visually appealing for the audience. These elements combined give a beautiful backdrop and enrich the production. The only negative critique one may have is not towards the performance itself but rather in the dated script. The play is filled with references of the original 1930s time period and most of that might go right over some audience members heads. But much of the comedy is timeless, so everyone is sure to enjoy it in the end. Overall, The Man Who Came to Dinner is a great introduction to someone new to the world of live theatre. Because of the relatable characters and timeless comedy, the show can be enjoyed by all.