Practice and preparation for the spring play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” has begun. The play is a comedy that tells the story of a celebrity and the antics he causes when he gets stuck bedridden in a family’s house after he breaks his hip there.

“It’s a classic,” director Jon Copeland said. “Among the plays written in the 19th and 20th centuries it’s considered one of the best. It’s probably in the top five of plays performed by high schools.”

Copeland said that this play is a good pick for the cast.

“I think it’s very funny,” Copeland said. “It has a lot of good character parts, which are interesting for the students to play. It’s one I’ve always liked. And it has a large-sized cast, and because we have so many kids that are interested and talented I try to pick one that I can get as many kids in as possible.”

The cast is currently working on blocking, or learning the movements, of the play.

“We have only blocked the first of three acts so far,” Copeland said. “We work on character development along the way, but at first it’s getting down the traffic patterns.”

Cast member junior Caitlin Alley said that so far, progress is going well and the cast is enjoying the process.

“I’m excited to see how the play will end up because we’re already having fun in the beginning stages and I’m excited to see it get better and better,” Alley said.

Copeland said that lots of hard work goes into making a good play.

“Since we have two casts we make two complete productions and there are three acts,” Copeland said. “Some people come to plays just to have fun and think it looks easy, but students work so hard to make it look easy.”

The play takes place in the 1940s, and a unique part of the production is the references it has to the popular culture and history of that time period.

“Many of the characters that are on stage or mentioned in the script are either real famous people from the ‘40s or based off of someone,” Copeland said. “So if you’re interested in history, that’s cool. It’s pretty unique.”

Alley said that one of her favorite parts of being involved in the play is spending time with her friends.

“I like that we’re a theater family on and off the stage,” Alley said. “A lot of us are in other activities together as well and we’re friends outside of theater too.”

The play will run from Tuesday, April 29 – Friday, May 2. The play is double-casted, so the Jimmy Durante cast will perform on Tuesday and Thursday and the Jean Smart cast will perform on Wednesday and Friday. Tickets will go on sale a few weeks before the performances.