I directed :The Man WhoCame To Dinner for high school students a few (5?) years ago. They had to have some things explained and they were  sent to research some things (if your line contains a reference, name, etc. you do not know...look it up and tell us all). They got it and thought it was funny. They used their new found knowledge to fine ways to sell some of the jokes and help the audience "get" more of it.  We put a little background info. in the program as well as a list of "terms" (names etc.) that were mentioned. Went over very well with all.

Don't give up on well written plays just because you don't know every reference off the top of your head.

 

Good Luck,

Countbio

I disagree with those who maintain the show is dated.  Some of the references should be updated, granted, but it is still a sharp, sarcastic, witty script.  It makes wonderful fun of small town types and several typical celebrity types as well.  And knowing who Alexander Woolcott is or was irrelevant.  Whiteside can be any self-important, insensitive jackass, who has gained the power to make or break careers.  No one likes him but virtually all must pander to him.  Of course, in the best interest of comedy, he does have some sense of decency when he hurts the only person he truly cares about outside himself.  I think if you are doing the show today, think Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, Geraldo Rivera, any of that type of "media darling."  I'm sure I could add even better names to the list if I took a couple of hours to contemplate it, but I think you get the drift.  By the way, I played Whiteside; it is my second favorite part of all time.  All of you should be able to recognize the first.

Originally posted by red diva   The characters are universal types who are funny standing on their own merits, without any knowledge of whom they are spoofing.  Granted, audiences contemporary to the play when it was first presented had more of an understanding of the specific satire, but I think modern audiences enjoy it on a completely different level.

I'd have to agree with you, red.   I was fortuantate enough to AD a production and had a very generous director that allowed me to direct act 3.    I'd strongly suggest researching the heck out of any references, words or phrases that aren't quite relavent to a contemporary audience.  Not so much that the audience understands them but so that the actors can convey the "flavor" (little did I realize before then that Poly Adler's was a house of ill-repute).   And for Banjo be sure to watch and listen to as many Marx Brothers movies as you can, especially Groucho and Harpo.

You also need exceptionally talented actors, which we fortuantely had.

We have our share of blue hairs at our ct as well but even for them most of the references were a very dim memory at best. 

 

I do.  I do. I know the references in The Man Who Came to Dinner, knew them before I played Whiteside.  I also laugh at references in Shakespeare.  If we start picking plays on the basis of references, soon we will have to pass on most Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, etc. plays.  C'mon guys, let's give the audience a little credit for knowing some of our national, cultural and artisitic history, as well as the major writers of all time.  If we need to educate the audience a little, let's do it.  Such efforts can be rewarding and fun.