More than fifty years ago, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn played
the liberal white parents to a precocious daughter whom they had raised to
be independent minded. When she brings home her new fiancée, a highly
educated and dedicated African-American doctor, the spouted beliefs of
her parents are clearly put to the test. This classic film is now a play and
Ivoryton Playhouse is giving it a loving airing of William Rose’s screenplay,
with Todd Kreidler’s probing play “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” until
May 12.
Times have certainly changed over the years, but inter-racial marriage
can still be cause for a pause in the conversation. Interestingly neither
Joanna‘s (Katelyn Nichols) parents Matt (Gordon Clapp) and Christina
(Kaia Monroe) nor John’s (Marc D Lyons) parents John Sr.(Cedric Cannon)
and Mary (Kimberlee Monroe) are accepting the decision of their offspring to wed
lightly. The confrontation escalates quickly when Joanna invites his
parents to dinner and John announces he will not marry her without her
father’s express blessing.
Adding their voices to the controversy are the family’s black maid Tillie
(Richarda Abrahms), the long time friend Monsignor Ryan (R. Bruce
Connelly) and a business associate Krista Lucas. Joanna’s father is quick
to have John investigated by the police as all four parents recover from the
unexpected shock of the announcement. Overt discrimination will
certainly affect the young couple and cause obstacles to their feelings.
As liberals, each is coming face to face with their principles.
As in the musical “South Pacific,” prejudice has to be carefully taught, from
childhood on to adulthood. Soon the mothers are taking a stand on the side
of the young lovers, while the fathers are vehemently opposed. Keeping
an open mind and caring heart are the ultimate winners, thanks to the
fine acting and the strong direction by Kathryn Markey, on an awesome set
designed by Daniel Nischan.
For tickets ($55, seniors $50, student $25, children $20), call the Ivoryton
Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at www.
ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at
7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Wednesday and
Sunday at 2 p.m.
To heal the differences among the famiiies, they need much more than a
leaf from an aloe plant. We’ve come a long way, but we’re not there yet.
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