Just two weeks ago, during the busy run-up to the Dublin High Drama Club Spring play, 21 members of the cast and crew performed at the Ohlone College High School Theatre Festival (read more…). The frantic scramble to prepare for a major production and a theatre competition – not to mention junior prom for many a week ago – seems appropriate given the non-stop chaos of “You Can’t Take it With You”. The play, penned by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, combines 1930′s-era wit with an unexpected dose of thoughtful life lessons.
“You can’t take it with you” – not money, not work, not unfulfilled dreams. Coming out of the worst economic crisis in America’s history the zany Sycamore family, and their seemingly endless gaggle of permanent guests, collide with the staid and moneyed Kirby family, brought together (of course) by the love of a Kirby son and a Sycamore daughter. But before you bring tissue for a Romeo and Juliet-style tragedy remember that Depression-weary America wanted laughter, and this play delivers laughs. The opening night audience thoroughly enjoyed the gags, in particular the explosive climax of Act 2.
What makes this play more than a joyful comedy, however, is the irrepressible character Grandpa Vanderhof. Grandpa serves as the morale anchor of the play and is given many of the best punch lines when not delivering soliloquy’ed life lessons. And Alice Sycamore represents every daughter or son who both loves her family but is mortified and embarrassed by their eccentric behavior. We can all relate to a time when our most loved family members made us want to crawl under a rock.
And more than any Dublin High production in recent memory “You Can’t Take it With You” requires perfect timing. There is rarely a moment when someone isn’t entering or exiting, and at times nearly the entire cast of 19 is on stage. The student actors made it look easy – and that’s only because of the many hours of planning, blocking, rehearsals and theatrical problem-solving that took place behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to opening night.
Dublin High Drama Director Bryant Hoex directed Dublin’s award-winning drama students in the DHS production (and, notably, Frank Capra directed the Academy Award-winning film version – Best Picture – 1938 - starring Lionel Barrymore and James Stewart).
The play continues Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and closes with a Sunday matinée at 2pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. The production is appropriate for all ages and sponsors include Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop and OneDublin.org.
Related articles:
- Dublin High Spring Play – Off Book Week for You Can’t Take it With You
- Behind the Scenes at Dublin High Drama’s Spring Play “You Can’t Take it With You”
- Life Backstage – The Magic Behind The Curtain at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
