Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
“Civil rights is one thing; this here is somethin’ else,” according to Matilda Banks, Drayton family housekeeper.
The Joy Theater is proud to present award-winning producer/director Tommye Myrick’s phenomenal production of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” This 1967 classic about interracial marriage during an important era of our country’s history is listed by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 films in the last 100 years. The drama portrays a positive and, at times, comedic representation of the controversial subject of mixed marriages. It unfolds when the Civil Rights movement gripped the nation, and Americans were forced to face racial tolerance, acceptance and diversity.
Date of Show: Starts on February 22, 2013 – March 3, 2013
Tickets Available: December 14, 2012
Performance Dates:
Friday, February 22, 2013 8pm
Saturday, February 23, 2013 8pm
Sunday, February 24, 2013 3pm
Friday, March 1, 2013 8pm
Saturday, March 2, 2013 8pm
Sunday, March 3, 2013 3pm
Prices:
$35.00
$32.50
$22.50
Dates Tickets are Available Through Ticketmaster: December 14, 2012
Contact Ticket Master at 800-745-3000 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/
The play “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” by Todd Kreidler is based on the screenplay by William Rose. The storyline depicts the love between Jo Anna Drayton (portrayed by Vicky Illk), the young daughter of liberal White parents, and Dr. John Prentice (portrayed by Nicoye Banks), a distinguished and well-known physician from a prominent African American family. The play examines the reaction from both sets of parents, the families’ friends and other household members about the news of a possible marriage between a Black man and a White woman.
While the young couple comes to grips with the personal prejudices secretly harbored by outsiders, they must also contend with both of their fathers, who are dead set against the union.To complicate matters, the Drayton family maid, Matilda, and a close family associate put in their disapproving two cents. While Jo Anna is determined to proceed with the wedding regardless of people’s opinions, John refuses to consider marriage until he receives the approval of all concerned. Also attending dinner is Monsignor Ryan, who speaks as the voice of tolerance. Eventually, it is Mr. Drayton, Jo Anna’s father, who must come face to face with the fact that he has trouble accepting his own liberal philosophy when it is applied so dramatically to his own life.
The “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” cast includes a host of veteran performers: Carol Sutton as Matilda Banks, Dane Rhodes as Matt Drayton, Janet Shea as Christina Drayton, Harold Evans as John Prentice Sr., Gwendolyn Foxworth as Mary Prentice, Garth Currie as Monsignor Ryan, and Margeaux Fanning as Hillary St. George.
Tommye Myrick is a seasoned producer and director, who is dedicated to the revival of theatrical productions in New Orleans. Along with being a recipient of the New Orleans Big Easy Entertainment Award, Ms. Myrick has received numerous awards, as well as accolades from audiences and critics alike. Some of her most memorable productions include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, The Women of Brewster Place, Dinah Was…, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Lesson Before Dying, Death of a Salesman, and many more.
Ms. Myrick’s skills as a director are evidenced by the poised and skilled manner in which she introduces “White liberalism” and “Black racism” to the audience. Under Ms. Myrick’s direction, the cast succeeds in providing dramatic performances and memorable entertainment.The original screenplay cast of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (which included Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Beah Richards and Isabel Sanford) would be proud of the portrayal of the characters and the current relevance of a theme that was first brought to our attention in 1967.
The original stage play directed by Kenny Leon, World Premiered at True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta Georgia in July of 2012, starred Phylicia Rashad, Afemo Omilami and respected director/actress – Andrea Frye.
Please join the Joy Theater in welcoming Director Tommye Myrick as we celebrate this production of an American classic – “GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER”– to historic Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 22 –March 3, 2012.
Tickets are available beginning December 14, 2012. The Joy Theater is located in the heart of downtown New Orleans at 1200 Canal Street, 70112.
For more Information/Reservations:
For group reservations, fundraising opportunities or school day performances, contact Roxanna Charbonnet at guesswhoscoming1@gmail.com. For media information, contact Roslyn Nocentelli Flot at breakthrumediallc@yahoo.com or Sandie McNamara at 504-331-0722.
There are no review for this event.
