'You Can't Take It With You' gives new meaning to family fun
Caitlin Brown
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
| |
| |
|
Written by George Kaufman and Moss Hart in the 1930s, it tells the story of what happens when the Kirbys, a conservative Wall Street family, meet the crazy inhabitants of the household of Grandpa Martin Vanderhof.
"Kaufman and Hart have created a world of hope dominated by essential American values, a place where optimism is considered a virtue, people are free to be themselves and, at heart, to be noble," said director Bruce Williams, a professional actor and director of the American Conservatory Theatre's Intensive Training Program and Summer Training Congress.
Opening on Broadway in 1936, "You Can't Take It With You" inspired many of the modern sitcoms.
The play brings the audience into the world of a family that will never turn a stranger away or spoil the dreams of its members.
From building fireworks and lighting them in the house to hunting snakes on a Friday morning, there is nothing that this family wouldn't accept, but someone who is not being true to his or her own soul. Even then, they'll happily give them a "Love Dream" and welcome them to dinner.
"This has actually been one of the highlights of the theatre," said George Metropulos, who plays Mr. Kirby. "Everybody should come and see a quality show. It has a lot of the same themes that are just as relevant now as they were almost 70 years ago."
The cast of the show is much like its cast of characters, including a variety of people from the Bay Area ommunity. While it is mostly NDNU students, they are joined on stage by local actors Mary Hill, Metropulos and Jeff Young. The theatre department has even recruited Williams from ACT in San Francisco to direct the play, an experience that has been helpful to theatre students involved.
"It's been a real big eye-opener," said NDNU freshmen and cast member Niki Rodriquez, "I felt like I had come from a preschool 'I-am-a-tree' production into a professional 'Romeo and Juliet' with ACT. It's not as laid back as high school, but I really like it."
"It's a hoot," said NDNU junior Becky Fazio and cast member, "We're all having an amazing time."
The dates for the production will be Oct. 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 28.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the NDNU Theatre Box Office at 650-508-3456 or visit the NDNU Theatre website at
"I think it's funny. The sets are fun and the props are hilarious," said Victoria Chavez, an NDNU junior and member of the cast, "The NDNU students will love it . . . if they come."
Be the first to comment on this story