UpStage Artists Brings Classic Film ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner’ To Life On Stage!

Edward V. Crews as John Prentice Senior and Pat Bullock as Mary Prentice rehearsing a scene for UpStage Artists Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, opening April 25.

Movies of the 1960s captured a decade of cultural transformation, from rock 'n' roll to shifting social values. In 1967, a seminal film was released that reflected the transition of cultural values that were happening. One film that embodied this transition was Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), starring Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy in his final role. The story should be a simple one, daughter brings home man she intends to marry to meet her parents. But this story was much more complicated. When Joanna Drayton, a free-thinking white woman, and black doctor John Prentice become engaged, they travel to San Francisco to meet her parents. Matt Drayton and his wife Christina are wealthy liberals who must confront the latent racism the coming marriage arouses. Also attending the Draytons' dinner are Prentice's parents, who vehemently disapprove of the relationship. The central message of love crosses most boundaries is still as relevant today as it was in 1967, which is why UpStage Artists is bringing this powerful story to the stage.

            Director John Cusumano and the cast are working to ensure the play resonates with today’s audience just as it did in 1967. The cast is a wonderfully diverse group of performers, featuring both seasoned performers and newcomers to the UpStage Artists stage. They are hard at work making this a performance you won’t forget.

            Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner will have 6 performances: April 25, 26, and May 2 at 7:30 pm and April 27, May 3 and 4 at 2 pm. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased online at www.upstageartists.com/current-show. You may also walk in and purchase tickets at the ticket counter but you risk being sold out, so it is better to get them early. All performances are held at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville, MD 20705. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance—filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and timeless themes.