By JOSEPHINE NORRIS, Staff Reporter.
The Bay City Players’ production of “You Can’t Take It With You” invites audience members to gather around the table and share in the exploding fun and amusements of this play.
Written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart and directed by Susan Ross, “You Can’t Take It With You” is the story of the eccentric Sycamore family and their daughter Alice, who falls in love with the handsome and successful Tony Kirby. The plot is based around the night the Kirby family comes to meet the Sycamore family a night earlier than expected. Chaos ensues as the vibrant and atypical customs of the Sycamore family contrast with the rigid and formal ways of the Kirby family. This leaves Alice questioning her future with Tony.
The characters of the play seem larger than life and full of interesting details. For example, Essie is an aspiring dancer who runs her own candy making enterprise with her husband who prints material for the packaging- for fun. How do “Love Dreams” sound as a treat?
The stage is a constant flurry of action. Director Susan Ross’ blocking worked splendidly to convey a sense of constant and unique projects and hobbies underway in the Sycamore home. From Essie dancing across the stage, to Penelope banging away on her most recent play, there was always something to watch onstage.
The overarching theme and symbol of the show is a family gathering around the table, to share a meal with one another and always find room for extras, including the Grand Duchess Olga Katarina of Russia. That is the spirit of the Sycamore family. Audience members walk out with the feeling of community and inclusion that is often missing in popular culture today. How many times are you routinely invited to share a meal with a family other than your own? Probably not as often as the assortment of characters that gather around the Sycamore family’s table each night.
This show was amusing and entertaining. “You Can’t Take It With You” is a great night of theater, leaving audiences entertained and wanting to know a family like the Sycamores.
“You Can’t Take It With You” runs March 13, 14, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and March 15 and 22 at 3 p.m.. Tickets are available online at www.baycityplayers.com or by phone at 989-893-5555
