HART, Moss, & George S. Kaufman.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

The Man Who Came to Dinner. An early version of the playscript, here titled Some Interesting People, with numerous textual changes in the hand of Kaufman, and used by Monty Woolley who created the role of Sheridan Whiteside on Broadway, and reprised the role for the 1942 film adaptation. There are significant textual differences from the script as first published in 1939 by Random House.One of Hart and Kaufman's significant successes of the 1930s, The Man Who Came to Dinner was written for Alexander Woollcott (1887-1943), the drama critic and occasional actor. Woollcott had previously arrived at Moss Hart's house, overstayed his welcome, and inadvertently provided the genesis of the plot of a new play. Although offered the role for Broadway, Woolcott declined, and the part was given to Monty Woolley (1988-1963). The role would define Woolley's career and make him a star. "The role of Whiteside was rich in acerbic wisecracks delivered memorably by Woolley. The New York Times described his performance as 'arrogant, waspish, murderously comic and strangely lovable'. Woolley scored a significant personal success in the role, and the play was a long-running and much-revived hit. The role made Woolley a star and a well-known theatrical personality" (ANB).The comedy opened at the Music Box Theatre on 16 October 1939 and ran for 739 performances. There were revivals in 1980 and 2000. There was a film adaptation in 1942 starring Woolley, and television versions broadcast in 1949, 1954

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