‘The Dining Room’ is a comedy of manners

East Brainerd Community Theater opens A.R. Gurney’s comedy of manners, “The Dining Room,” tonight, March 12, for four performances this weekend at Christ United Methodist Church.

The play is comprised of multiple vignettes all set in a single dining room, although representing different households in different time periods. The families’ stories overlap and entwine, but the common denominator is that all are owners of the same dining-room furniture, manufactured in 1898.

Some scenes look at family matters and manners or aging relatives; others concern an emotional attachment to the furniture itself. Overall, the scenes follow middle-class Americans and the transition of families through traditions to progress.

Director Katie Olsen describes the play as “funny, touching, bittersweet and truly has something for everyone.”

As with every production by the East Brainerd Community Theater, donations are collected to benefit a local nonprofit. During performances of “The Dining Room,” the audience will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite character by making a donation of any size to the Ronald McDonald House.

All seats are general admission. For more information: https:// www.ebctchatt.com.

PHOTO BY KATIE OLSEN From left are Patti Gross, Faye Wilcox, Kendra Gross, Greg Rambin Sr. and Will Park.