A room with a view, to borrow a literary reference, is the best way to describe A.R. Gurney's popular play "The Dining Room."

In "The Dining Room," Gurney uses multiple overlapping scenes spanning much of the 20th century to trace cultural changes within America as they are reflected in that most familial of family traditions, the dining room.

A.R. Gurney is an American playwright and novelist known for works including "Love Letters," " The Cocktail Hour" and "Sylvia."

The Sandbox Players production of "The Dining Room" will open at the Sunrise Theater in downtown Southern Pines, April 9, for a six-performance run: four evening performances and two Sunday matinees. Evening performances are April 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7:45 p.m. The matinees are on April 11 and 15 at 2 p.m.

Auditions will be Thursday, Feb. 25, and Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. Auditions will be held at the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, located at 895 Linden Road - across from Elliot's.

The play is intended for six actors, three male and three female, to play the multitude of roles that span all ages.

However, director Rod Harter will use more people because the scenes are so clear and so much fun.

"We'll audition all actors, male and female, from 12 and up," he says. "We want this cast to be representative of the enormous range of talent found in the Sandhills. The beauty of the script is that there are so many clearly defined and rich roles."

The auditions will be cold readings.

For additional information, contact Harter at (910) 724-4905.

The Sandbox Players Community Theater is a nonprofit organization currently operating under the umbrella of the Arts Council of Moore County.