PHOTO BY MATT FRANKLIN
Rheba the maid and her boyfriend, Donald, performed by real-life husband and spouse Felicia and Mike Coulter
As the home lights went down, music from a favourite period crammed the Hoogland’s Peggy Ryder Theatre. Whereas the present will not be a musical, the pre-show tunes like “Lovely Women,” “I’ve Obtained The World on a String” and “Goody Goody” had me singing alongside, full of anticipation for this world-renowned play.
You Cannot Take It With You is a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart that explores a number of days within the lifetime of an eccentric however lovable household of blood kin, in-laws, their snake and some random others. Their real naiveté, harmless rules-breaking and well-meaning hearts set in movement a collection of occasions that culminate in a number of poignant classes for all of us.
It is Nineteen Thirties New York and Martin Vanderhof, aka “Grandpa” (Keith Wilson), is the top of a madcap however glad household. His granddaughter, Alice Sycamore (Jacqueline Keysear), the “regular” one of many clan (suppose “Marilyn Munster”), has fallen in love along with her Wall Avenue boss, Tony Kirby (Elijah Sadler). The 2 need to marry however she has reservations. Whereas she loves her household deeply, she is embarrassed by their idiosyncrasies and fears that the 2 households – who’re polar opposites relating to manners, wealth and beliefs – won’t ever see eye to eye. Apparently, it is a deal-breaker.
Grandpa is all wit and knowledge and everybody’s touchstone. His perspective serves as the center of the play, difficult different characters – and the viewers – to rethink their priorities. On not paying his taxes: “I do not imagine in it. What do I get for my cash? All these battleships? Why ought to I pay for one thing I do not need?” On making a living: “You may’t take it with you, so what good is it? As close to as I can see, the one factor you’ll be able to take with you is the love of your mates.” Or my private favourite: “Life is sort of stunning for those who let it come to you.”
The remainder of the characters every have their very own diploma of quirkiness and attraction, and the forged works very nicely collectively. There’s Grandpa’s big-hearted daughter Penny (Katharine Roberts) and her inventor husband Paul (Joey McLaughlin), together with Alice as their youthful daughter, aspiring dancer and sweet maker Essie (Rachel Bridges) and her husband, musician and unintended anarchist Ed (Lance Perko). There’s additionally former ice supply man Mr. DePinna (Michael Savage), budding romantics Rheba the maid and her boyfriend, Donald (performed by real-life husband and spouse Felicia and Mike Coulter), and Boris (Roy Pyers), Essie’s dramatic and booming Russian ballet trainer. Finally, a tax collector and some cops (Dorothy Hutchinson-Gross, Kelly Robertson, Rick Cina, Evan Noyes) the uptight Kirbys (Bruce Davidson and Cathy Doyle) and drunk actress Homosexual Wellington (performed to the hilt by Cynthia Higginson) additionally make an look and add to the chaos.
The likability of the play is one thing that brings audiences, and generally actors again time and again. Felicia and Mike Coulter first met doing YCTIWY in 1974 and have since carried out within the present a number of instances. After I requested what all the time brings them again, their reply speaks to theme of the present: “It is positively nostalgic as a result of it is the place we met, but in addition the message of doing what makes you content is an important factor. It is only a feel-good play.”
The set is sufficiently colourful and cluttered with mismatched furnishings, trinkets and doodads, some that have been even on mortgage from the forged. To me the costumes have been extra modern than interval, and maybe extra artwork and enterprise on again partitions would have enhanced the higher stage. However neither of these have been main detractors.
Director Kim Shafer does an admirable job of staging this traditional play and not too long ago posted about it on social media. “For the previous six weeks, these 19 individuals – a number of of whom have been full strangers coming into the expertise – have labored onerous to supply our neighborhood with one thing humorous. One thing hopeful. Within the course of, they’ve turn out to be a tightknit group, every admiring what the others give and dealing to realize an genuine view of individuals making the perfect of issues when confronted with challenges. YCTIWY stays each bit as related now as when it premiered practically 90 years in the past. Do your self a favor and take day trip from the chilly and grey of January to flee into a spot the place all individuals need is to be glad and love with out limits. I assure you’ll not remorse it.”
You Cannot Take It With You continues Jan. 24-26, 7:30 Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday within the Peggy Ryder Theatre. Common admission tickets obtainable at HCFTA.org or on the door.
