Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Theatre 40 at Greystone Mansion
Through January 22
RECOMMENDED
When two parents (who also happen to be White progressives) are blindsided when their daughter brings home her Black fiancé, they are put to the ultimate test. The story itself is familiar for a few reasons. One being that it is adapted from William Rose’s screenplay of the 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier. Secondly, it is still timely as this brand of subterranean bigotry still exists. Written by Todd Kreidler, the play captures the social and cultural gap between Black and White Americans in an honest way. It is so honest that at times it can feel uncomfortable as the reality is right in your face. Matt Drayton (Larry Eisenberg) imagines what would happen to his daughter, Joanna (Abigail Stewart), if she were to marry Dr. John Prentice (Marc Antonio Pritchett) and be seen in public with him. He fears that she would be harmed due to her husband being a Black man. He uses this belief to support his reasons for being hesitant to give the relationship his blessing. Just as he does this, Dr. John Prentice’s family share their concerns as well.
One thing that stands out in this production, capably staged by Cate Caplin, is just how well the opposing sides are developed. The Drayton family doesn’t want them to marry just as much as the Prentice family. Because the sides are so clear, the unfortunate truth of racism, and what can happen as a result, is often at the center of the show. For instance, John Prentice Sr. (Frederick Dawson) does a great job of showing just how disappointed and fearful he is for his son and what could happen to him if he were to marry a White woman. When seeing this show, it reminds me how much race plays a role in so many areas of our lives. Whether it be facing judgment of who you fall in love with or even what job you’re expected to hold; judgment solely based on your skin tone has been a part of the world since the beginning of time. The play itself has a kind of brutal candor with just enough humor sprinkled in to carry you through.
Greystone Mansion, 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills. Opens Sat., Jan. 14; Sat., 7 pm, Sun., 2 pm, Thurs., Jan 19., 7 pm; thru Jan. 22. https://theatre40.org
