Department of Theatre and Dance Professor James Ivey will give an informational presentation, "George S. Kaufman and The Algonquin Roundtable," on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. in the Costello Community Room (P84) of the Rockefeller Arts Center studio complex.
The event is part of the 2016-2017 Convocation Series with the theme, “Creativity and Perseverance.”
The presentation, occurring on Kaufman's birthday, will lead up to the performance of Kaufman and Hart's 1939 comedy, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” sponsored by the Department of Theater and Dance (see related story under Arts). Dr. Ivey will repeat the Convocation presentation before the Thursday, Dec. 1, performance. Refreshments will be served at both presentations, which are free and open to students, faculty, staff and community members.
Kaufman was a prolific creator of theatrical works. He was an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, director, producer, critic and humorist. There was a play written or directed by Kaufman continuously running on Broadway from 1921 to 1958. He collaborated and socialized with the literary and performing stars of his day such as Alexander Woollcott, Ring Lardner, George and Ira Gershwin, Moss Hart, Edna Ferber, Morrie Ryskind and the Marx Brothers.
Many of his collaborations were a result of his long-time associations with fellow playwrights, newspaper critics and theatre personalities who enjoyed lunch and witty banter at the celebrated Algonquin Round Table. A complex personality, Kaufman’s work is still performed today from Broadway to Fredonia.
Kaufman won the Pulitzer Prize for drama with “Of Thee I Sing” (1932) and “You Can’t Take it With You” (1937) and the Tony Award for his direction of the legendary musical “Guys and Dolls” (1951). Kaufman and Hart’s play “Merrily We Roll Along” served as the inspiration for the Stephen Sondheim musical of the same name written in 1981.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner” was written during a time of historical and creative significance in America. The period included the Great Depression, Prohibition, the Dust Bowl and rising fascism in Europe. It was also a time that included the Harlem Renaissance, the Group Theater, the Mercury Theater and the federal art, music and theater projects of the Works Progress Administration. Many of the playwrights, artists and composers who would emerge from this era would contribute to American culture beyond World War II.
Kaufman certainly proves to be one of those enduring figures as he brings many of the personalities from the Algonquin Round Table, such as Noel Coward, Gertrude Lawrence and Harpo Marx, to life in “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
Performances of “The Man Who Came to Dinner” will be held in Marvel Theatre, Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 30 through Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Matinees will also be presented on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, at 2 p.m.
