36
Arts
April 2015
www.GilbertSunNews.com
‘Man’ extends invites to Hale production BY MEGHAN MCCOY
“The Man Who Came to Dinner,” produced at the Hale Centre Theatre for the next month, is guaranteed to make the audience laugh as it learns the ways of Sheridan Whiteside, according to organizers. The production begins Thursday, April 9, and runs through Saturday, May 16 with matinee and evening showings. Tickets range from $16 to $28 and can be purchased by visiting www. haletheatrearizona.com. “This particular production of it is going to be a lot better than most people have seen,” said Mark Hackman, who plays Whiteside. “It’s kind of a historical artifact, but our skillful director has made it very interesting history.” He said his character is a very intelligent author, lecturer, critic and a man of letters who is witty. He said Whiteside also is self-absorbed and a bit difficult to get along with. “This play is a classic story of redemption and I kind of enjoy the fact that Mr. Whiteside is forced to find his better self and put other’s happiness ahead of his own,” Hackman said. “He
puts operations into place, actions into place if you will, that make other people happy in spite of himself.” The other’s person’s happiness lies with Maggie Cutler, Sheridan’s secretary. Melody Knudson, who plays Maggie Cutler, said her character has somehow put up with Whiteside’s brash and rude personality for 10 years. “Throughout the course of the show, she finds herself (and) she falls in love,” Knudson said. “She wants a relationship instead of just being an independent working woman. She wants to be in love and settle down.” Knudson said she enjoys the interesting dynamics that takes place between Whiteside and Cutler.
“Even though he is rude and obnoxious, he has a deep affection for Maggie and doesn’t want to lose her as a secretary,” Knudson said. “As I get to know the character, I get to know their story and personality. Maggie is interesting. She is an independent woman. She is also very sweet and gentle spirited. I like the contrast of her personality.” She said “The Man Who Came to Dinner” is a great family-friendly production. “Everyone needs a break to laugh and get away from how stressful real life is,” Knudson said. “It’s a good show to take a break and get a good laugh in.” The production, Hackman said, offers a glimpse into the 1930s’ mindset and lifestyle. He said there are a lot of names dropped from the 1930s that
not everyone may know, making the production historical, educational and very funny. For Hackman, acting has been a hobby since junior high. He is a software engineer by trade. “I have been lucky enough to do acting on and off for various productions in the Valley,” he said. Hackman said he enjoys acting because it is one pursuit in life where it is mostly collaborative and cooperative. He said everyone helps each other out while making others look their best. Knudson, on the other hand, began acting when she was 3 years old. She said because there was not a theater program at the university she attended, she just recently began auditioning for roles. “I love being able to bring characters to life,” Knudson said. “Often times the character only exists on paper. They are part of the story, but until the script is in the hands of the actor, the character doesn’t have life and breath. It is exciting to breathe life into the characters that the writer has imagined.” Hale Centre Theatre is located at 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. For more information, call (480) 497-1181.
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