Theater Review: 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' at WCSU

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The students at Western CT State University took on the play “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” The two-act play written by Todd Kreidler ran two weekends at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU.

The play is based on the 1967 movie of the same name. The WCSU Theater Department explains that tn it, “a progressive white couple's proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter Hillary brings home her black fiance to meet them.” Matt and Christina Drayton “are blindsided by their daughter's whirlwind romance and fearful for her future, as they quickly come to realize the difference between supporting a mixed-race couple in your newspaper and welcoming one into your family -- especially in 1967.”

In the Dramaturg’s Note in the printed program, Co-Dramaturg Donovan L. Shaw reminds us that when the film version premiered in 1967, it “confronted America’s self-image as a progressive society. The Sidney Portier/Katharine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy film dared audiences to consider–within the context of a love story–where their personal beliefs aligned with their political ideals, asking if it is possible to be progressive in ideology but prejudiced in practice.” Shaw goes on to draw parallels to contemporary issues. “The tools of oppression may have shifted, but the battle remains.”

The co-dramaturg correctly points out that the story remains a love story at its heart, but stresses that the play is not a period piece. I would argue that as it was presented on the VPAC stage, it was hard to see it as anything but a period piece, albeit with a message that can be applied to the politics of today. I enjoyed it as an accurate representation of the race relations that I remember when I was a child, much of which unfortunately remains in our current climate.

Donna Baldwin-Bradby, a professor of Theatre Arts at North Carolina A&T University, directed the students, no doubt helping with the norms of the sixties. Leah Pallis worked as the assistant director.

The cast worked hard to bring this story to life, with strongly drawn characters that make up the t two families. It is usually easy to ignore the fact that all of the performers are college-aged and must often play characters that are much older. This play required a further suspension of disbelief to accept that Dr. Prentice is a decade older than Joanna Drayton and the four parents are of an older generation.

Justin Villard, a senior BFA Acting major from Stamford, did his best to play the young black widower working in research, Dr. John Prentice. WCSU junior Jessica Ragucci portrayed the bubbly Joanna (“Joey”) as a young woman fiercely in love.

Samuel Rundell tackled the Spencer Tracy role of newspaperman Matt Drayton in his WCSU debut, with Caroline Benzi, a sophomore from Westbrook, as his wife Christina, played in the film by Katharine Hepburn.

Larry Williams, a sophomore from Bridgeport who has worked with Elm Shakespeare Company, took on the role of John Prentice, Sr. and did well. Blessett Anderson, a WCSU junior from Waterbury, stood out in the role of John’s mother Mary.

WCSU junior Brianna Wright had some great lines in her role as the long-time maid Matilda “Tillly” Binks, a black woman who does not approve of the interracial match.

In the supporting role of Hilary St. George, the woman who runs Christina’s art gallery, was Julia Crowley, a sophomore from Southington. Benjamin Goffredo, a first year BFA Musical Theatre major from Massachusetts, played family friend Monsignor Ryan.

Justin P. Cowan served as the show’s producer, with Savannah Mantone as the production stage manager. Kori Hansen worked as the technical coordinator, with Tom Swetz as technical director. The scenic design by Danielle DeLaFuente blew me away with its feel for the sixties and how it allowed the characters to easily inhabit the upscale home. The design of the furniture brought back memories for me, as did the costumes designed by Joni Johns Lerner. Cheyenne Sykes designed the fine lighting and Ben Warner was in charge of sound design. I missed a few of the lines now and then because I was seated in an area on one side of the venue.

Photos by Tony DeZinno