Amanda Smith
Managing Editor
For the opening production of the school year, the theatre program is putting on “The Man Who Come to Dinner” from Thursday, Sept. 26 to Saturday, the 28. The play will take place at 7:30 p.m. on all nights and a matinee performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets for the production are free to all Butler students with ID.
The comedy follows Mr. Whiteside after he falls on the steps of the Stanley’s household and injures himself. Wheelchair-bound, he is then stuck in their house, causing havoc and making everyone’s lives miserable with his crazy and rude personality.
The cast involves 20 parts with two leads: sophomore Braden Layman as Mr. Sheridan Whiteside himself and sophomore Sydney Gregor as his secretary, Margaret Cutler. The play is directed by Professor of Theatre and Speech Bob Peterson.
Layman landed his first lead role his senior year of high school and has been the lead in five productions since then at Butler. The role of Mr. Whiteside is a bit different than the other ones he has portrayed in the past, but he is excited to tackle a new persona.
“With the roles such as Hank Morgan or Doctor Lockwood, I inputted my own personality and awkwardness to make those characters come to life,” Layman said. “But Whiteside is a whole new level that I never thought I would be qualified for. Mr. Peterson told me that he believes I can do it, and I believe that he is right.”
Gregor has been involved in theatre since sophomore year of high school at Derby High. During her time at Butler, she has been in five productions– four onstage with one lead and has also been a stage manager.
“I just love how crazy it all is,” Gregor said. “Just how crazy Mr. Whiteside is and how out of the blue the things he does are. The relationship between him and Maggie is probably my favorite part of the play.”
Tickets can be reserved by visiting or calling the Box Office at 316-322-3262 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.