Deck the Halls with Actors Co-Op Theatre Company's THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER

Actors Co-Op Theatre Company (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) presents the second show in its 26th Season, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's beloved comedy classic THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, directed by Linda Kerns, produced by Thomas Chavira, about the nightmare holiday guest who never leaves - or so it seems. The play will preview on Thursday, November 2 at 8pm and will open Friday, November 3 at 8pm, and run through Sunday, December 17 (with no performances November 24, 25 and 26) at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood 90028.

"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. It then enjoyed a number of New York and London revivals. The first London production was staged at The Savoy Theatre starring Robert Morley and Coral Browne. In 1990, Browne stated in a televised biographical interview, broadcast on UK Channel 4 (entitled Caviar to the General), that she bought the rights to the play, borrowing money from her dentist to do so. When she died, her will revealed that she had receivEd Royalties for all future productions and adaptations. The song "What Am I To Do" was written by Cole Porter specifically for the play."

About the PLAYWRIGHTS

George S. Kaufman (Playwright), also a director; born in Pittsburgh, PA. After brief periods studying law and as a salesman, he began to contribute humorous material to newspapers; by 1915 he was writing for the theater section of the "New York Tribune," moving to the "New York Times" (1917-30). His first successful play, Duley (1921), was in collaboration with Marc Connelly, and during the next thirty-five years he enjoyed the almost unparalleled success, writing a string of sophisticated satires of contemporary life for the stage and movies in collaboration with others - Marc Connelly, Edna Ferber, Ring Lardner, Moss Hart, Alexander Woolcott, Robert Sherwood; his only success by himself was The Butter and the Egg Man (1925). After 1928 he staged most of his own plays, and although Hollywood constantly beckoned, he was never really comfortable there. With Morris Ryskind he wrote one of the most successful Marx Brothers scripts, "A Night at the Opera" (1935). He shared two Pulitzers - with Ryskind, for the book to the musical Of Thee I Sing (1931), and with Moss Hart for the play You Can't Take It With You (1936).

Moss Hart (Playwright) Moss Hart began his career as playwright, director, and producer in 1930 when, with George S. Kaufman, he wrote Once In A Lifetime. Subsequent Kaufman and Hart successes include Merrily We Roll Along, You Can't Take It With You, and The Man Who Came To Dinner, among others. In collaboration with Irving Berlin, he wrote Face the Music and As Thousands Cheer, and in solo efforts scored personal triumphs with Jubilee, Light Up The Sky, and Lady In The Dark, which he also directed. His directorial credits include My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Winged Victory, which he also wrote. Among his screen credits are "A Star is Born" (for Judy Garland), "Gentleman's Agreement," and "Hans Christian Anderson" (for Danny Kaye). His autobiography, "Act One," topped the best-seller list for forty weeks.

About the Creative and Production Team

Linda Kerns** (Director) Linda Kerns is delighted to return to Actors Co-op with this wonderful play and terrific cast! Most recently, Linda directed The Spitfire Grill for Musical Theater Guild. Previously at Actors Co-op: Going to St. Ives, by Lee Blessing, Pride and Prejudice, The Traveling Lady, Matthew Goldsby's Makin'Hay, (World Premiere), All I Really Need... Kindergarten. Cabrillo Musical Theatre's Meet Me in St. Louis Also: The Triumph of Love, The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do!, Two by Two, Guys and Dolls (UCLA). Music director/conductor: Side by Side by Sondheim, The 1940's Radio Hour, Big River, Little Shop of Horrors, and Annie. As an actress: Cabrillo's West Coast Premiere of Memphis, My Fair Lady (Rubicon), Into the Woods (LAWeekly Award, Best Musical Performance), The Nibroc Trilogy (LAWeekly Award, Ensemble Acting), Sweeney Todd (Calvin Remsberg, director) and the LA Company of Wicked at The Pantages. Broadway and National Tours: Nine, (Original B'way Cast), Big River, Les Miserables and Beauty and the Beast Film/TV: "Titanic", "Mrs. Santa Claus", "Without a Trace", "The Guardian" among others. Since 1999, Linda has been an Adjunct Professor in the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program, UCLA. Member AEA, SDC, SAG/AFTRA.

Thomas Chavira (Producer) Thomas Chavira received his BFA in acting from Abilene Christian University and his MFA from the University of Southern California. Film: "Beneath Us" (Due for release in 2018). TV: "Shameless". At the Co-op as producer: 33 Variations, Around the World in 80 Days, Dancing At Lughnasa. Co-op Acting Credits: The Voysey Inheritance, Spinning Into Butter, & The Sweetest Swing In Baseball.

The cast features the talents of John Allee*, Brenda Ballard*, Goreti da Silva, Kyle Frattini, Catriona Fray, Karen Furno*, Lila Hood, Wenzel Jones*, Jean Kauffman*, Hunter Lowdon, Natalie Hope MacMillan*, Deborah Marlowe, Greg Martin, Kevin Michael Moran*, Irwin Moskowitz, Lawrence Novikoff*, Chris Savell, Connor Sullivan, Catherine Urbanek*

The design team includes Nicholas Acciani* (Scenic/Projection Design), Shon LeBlanc (Costume Design), Andrew Schmedake (Lighting Design), Warren Davis (Sound Design), Ernest McDaniel (Property Master), and Amanda Walter (Hair/Make-up).

The production team includes Selah Victor* (Production Manager), Ernest McDaniel (Props Master), Rita Cannon (Stage Manager), Tintin Nguyen (Assistant Stage Manager) and Claire Adams (PR Manager).

Show Times and Tickets: THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER will preview Thursday, November 2 at 8pm and will open Friday, November 3 at 8pm and run through Sunday, December 17. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm. No shows November 24, 25 and 26. Additional Saturday Matinees: November 11 and November 18 at 2:30 pm. Tickets: $30.00. Seniors (60+): $25.00. Students: $20.00. Group rates available for parties of 6 or more. To buy tickets or make reservations please visit www.ActorsCo-op.org or call (323) 462-8460. Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood 90028.

About ACTORS CO-OP THEATRE COMPANY

Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Actors Co-op began in 1987 with a dozen actors. Currently, its membership exceeds 50 professionals. Called "a 99-seat miracle" by Daily Variety, Actors Co-op's numerous awards for theatre excellence include the Los Angeles Drama Critics Polly Warfield Award for "Outstanding Season" (2013) in a small to mid-sized theatre, the Margaret Harford Award for "Sustained Achievement" in smaller theatre from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, the Charlie Award for "Excellence in the Arts" by the Hollywood Arts Council, as well as numerous Ovation Award nominations and wins including a nomination for "Best Season" (2013-2014) and win for Best Musical (2014). Since the Crossley Theatre opened its doors in April of 1989 and its second theatre, the David Schall Theatre opened February of 1995, Actors Co-op has produced over 100 main stage productions, over 40 Second Stage productions, staged readings of original works, and has received 23 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (seven wins), 34 LA Weekly Award nominations (six wins), 38 Ovation Award nominations (five wins), five Garland Awards and 125 Drama-Logue Awards. Actors Co-op is located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, just off the Gower Street exit of the 101 Hollywood Freeway. Free, well-lit parking is available on Carlos Street (1/2 block east of Gower). Entrance to the theatre is on Carlos Avenue.

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