McLean High School, renowned in the area for its refusal to produce high school productions, continues this tradition by performing George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s "The Man Who Came to Dinner" on Nov. 21, 22, 23.
"The Man Who Came to Dinner," an uproarious satire written in 1939, is hardly standard fare for a high school. The play is about a pompous radio personality who finds him trapped in the house of a small town family. McLean, having recently performed James Thurber’s "A Thurber Carnival," is ready for the challenge of bringing a classic play to life. "The Man Who Came to Dinner" will serve as the grand opening of McLean’s new and improved theater. Last year, McLean students were forced to perform "David and Lisa" in the black box theatre that had a seating capacity of only 70 people, a feat which brought nine Cappie nominations and five Cappies for Best Cameo Actor (Paul Baumbusch), Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Marshall), Best Actor (Ryan Caskie), Best Ensemble (Student Patients) and The Best Play.
Although McLean’s fall production will be their Cappie nominee, there is an enormous amount of anticipation for the spring musical, "Les Miserables." McLean will be one of the first high schools in the country to perform this great musical, and they look forward to the challenge of meeting the expectations of those who love Victor Hugo’s timeless story and the sweeping music and lyrics of Alan Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg.
Whether performing plays of all ages and genres, or tackling giant musical, McLean always refuses to conform.