Cadenza | Cadenza Show
‘You Can’t Take it With You’: Hilarious and heartwarming
If you find other people’s awkward experiences funny, the Performing Arts Department’s production of “You Can’t Take it With You” will have you doubled over in laughter in your seat.
The cast successfully delivers both the comedic and dramatic moments that would be expected from the meeting of two extremely distinct families: the eccentric Sycamore family, whose members live life simply by doing what they love, and the uptight, wealthy Kirby family, which lives by the rules of business executive and patriarch Mr. Kirby. When Mr. Kirby’s son, Tony Kirby, played by junior Mitchell Manar, and Alice Sycamore, played by senior Catherine Athenson, fall in love, Alice invites the Kirbys to her house for dinner. Reminiscent of “Meet the Parents,” Mr. and Mrs. Kirby’s almost tangible discomfort at the quirky antics of the Sycamore family brings the classically awkward situation of meeting future in-laws to another level.
The night begins with the Kirbys walking in on Essie Sycamore’s ballet lesson with crazy Russian instructor Mr. Kolenkhov, played by graduate student Jim Short, going on in the Sycamore’s living room. A procession of ridiculous and unexpected events occurs, punctuated by various pops of fireworks coming from the basement and the blunt and humorous remarks of Grandpa Vanderhof. One exceptionally hilarious highlight from the evening occurs when Penny Sycamore, Alice’s extraordinarily upbeat mother, played by sophomore Schuyler Atkins, decides that everyone should play a word association game. The results of which words come to mind at the mention of a particular topic prove startlingly uncomfortable, yet all through the experience, Penny remains her characteristically bubbly and excited self.
Although the show maintains an overall sense of hilarity and general craziness, Alice and Tony portray beautifully the naivete and genuine happiness of two young people who have just fallen in love. Even as Tony sweeps Alice off her feet and spins her around, the actors’ expressions retain such a sense of pure joy that this cheesy Hollywood chick-flick moment will melt the heart of even the most unfeeling audience member.
While the show reveals the importance of doing what you love in order to be happy, it also demonstrates the strength of love as a force to bring families together. In the end, students can expect to leave the theater feeling warm and fuzzy with the reassurance that even awkward encounters and strange career choices can lead to a positive ending, because there is no one way to live life.
“You Can’t Take it With You” will be performed in Edison Theatre Feb. 28 and March 1 at 8 p.m. and March 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students. The runtime is two hours with two 10-minute intermissions.