Bert Jefferson (The Man Who Came To Dinner)
Hartley Powers and Mark Stancato, photo Doug Engalla
We just completed our run of THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER and it’s been one heck of a ride. Just like the play itself. This rhythm moves fast and the cast is large. Although my brother and I grew up watching old black and white films, thanks mom, I did not know much about this play. The Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedy in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It debuted on October 16, 1939, at the Music Box Theatre in New York City, where it ran until 1941, closing after 739 performances.
I played Bert Jefferson; a journalist and playwright who has lived in Mesalia, Ohio most of his life. He is intelligent, honest, decent, and speaks his mind. Think George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. There are a lot of layers to Bert and it’s been a real joy exploring this character and finding those nuances.
(L-R) Hartley Powers, Jim Beaver, Mark Stancato, Steve Shaw, Sal Valletta, photo Doug Engalla