This is part of a new series of theater reviews of local high school productions, written by local high school students, that will appear on AnnArbor.com. This week, Greenhills School student Laura Hogikyan (see bio and more about this program at end of story) reviews Huron High School's production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner."

Sitting among warm lighting, tinsel, a Christmas tree and loud laughter, the audience could be sitting in a living room during the holiday season. Yet the gorgeous living room is actually the set of the Huron Players’ "The Man Who Came to Dinner," George Kaufman and Moss Hart’s mordant satire of celebrities in 1930s America.

Mordant was not the prevailing mood in Huron’s shiny new Little Theater. In fact, there seemed to be a conspiracy of holiday cheer among every member of the cast. Each character charmed laughs out of the audience at every turn. Director BJ Wallingford brought out the show's subtle comedic moments: a woman claws at another’s throat; comic entrances of penguins are masterfully timed; and celebrity characters are helplessly subjected to caricature, to the amusement of the audience.

In fact, each role becomes a caricature of celebrity vices. The wealthy factory owner, in whose living room the play unfolds, is elitist and snobbish. The title character, a radio show host who overstays his welcome at the factory owner's home, is selfish. The ingénue who visits the radio host is a self-serving diva. The radio host’s secretary is the play’s moral compass. And the penguins are, well, penguins. The caricatures successfully mine every laugh out of the audience.

What is lost in the caricatures is the depth in the script’s satire that makes it a classic commentary on celebrity culture, couture and vice. Instead of being a cunning mastermind, the radio host becomes an endearing older man who is simply prone to pettiness. The ingénue becomes an airhead instead of a career woman prone to abusing her gender to further her aspirations. The secretary becomes simply obedient, with a penchant for witty remarks. She is then harder to take seriously when she finally stands up to her boss. However, the smaller character roles were splendidly polished, both humorous and charming.

Overall, the show is a warm, humorous start to the holidays. Although the satiric nature is lost, each character is endearing and the audience feels at home in the gorgeous living room set. True, some of the original intent of the show as a savage and witty commentary on the celebrity lifestyle is lost. However, with a crew that ran like clockwork, genuine and mirthful acting, penguins, and a gorgeous set, an invitation to dinner with the Huron Players is well worth accepting. Just be careful with the penguins — they bite.

There are two more chances to catch "The Man Who Came to Dinner": Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. Performances take place in Huron High School's Little Theater, 2727 Fuller Rd. Tickets (general, $8; students and seniors, $6) may be reserved by calling 734-994-2095.

Guest reviewer Laura Hogikyan is a senior at Greenhills School. She is an editor-in-chief of the Greenhills Alcove and directs shows at Greenhills. She is excited to combine her interest in journalism and theater for AnnArbor.com. She also plays varsity tennis. In college, she hopes to pursue classics and music in a double major.

The aim of AnnArbor.com's student-review program is to recognize, and provide more coverage for, the accomplished theatrical work that's happening in our schools while also providing opportunities for student writers with an interest in arts criticism. To encourage objectivity, our student writers will always review shows from schools other than their own. To learn more about the student-review program, contact Jenn McKee at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546.