(Le Mars) — The classic comedy “You Can’t Take it With You,” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, opens today (Friday) at the Le Mars Community Theatre’s Postal Playhouse.
The audience will be invited into the home of one of the most eccentric families you’ll ever meet, and will get to enjoy a set with so many random pieces of decor that the audience is bound to notice something new every time they look up. The house is owned by non-conforming patriarch Martin Vanderhof, better known as “Grandpa.” His children, grandchildren and a few neighborhood strays, all live under his roof. The audience is introduced to this host of vibrant characters through a number of antics during the opening scene.
Focus is then brought to the character Alice, the only family member who has decided that work in the real world is important. She has fallen in love with the bosses son, a man whose upbringing is full of wealth and prestige. When the families come together for a meal, the clash between cultures becomes apparent and their true feelings for each other are revealed.
With the large cast of 19 players, director Jeff Neary (with production help from Audrey Scholten and Naomi Kinney) manages to get everyone on the intimate Postal Playhouse stage with purpose and excitement.
That cast is made up of lots of familiar LCT faces, and some brand new ones:
Penelope Sycamore: Danna Schuster
Martin “Grandpa” Vanderhof: Bob Hill
Alice Sycamore: Becca Sparks
Tony Kirby: Mitchell Zenk
Anthony Kirby: Ryan Odor
Essie Carmichael: Renae Buss
Boris Kolenkhov: George New
Paul Sycamore: Chris Von Wille
Ed Carmichael: Mike Donlin
Mr. DePinna: Pete Laskie
Donald: LJ Olson
Rheba: Allison Hanson
Wilber C. Henderson: Liam Parks
Miriam Kirby: Hope Johnson
Grand Duchess Olga Katrina: Kim Ross
Gay Wellington: Margaret Britton
G-men: Kerry Patchin, Janelle Thomas and Julie Albert (last show Ruth Alexander will talk Julie Albert role)
“You Can’t Take it With You” opens tomorrow and runs through Wednesday, May 2nd – 7th, with seating available for all shows except opening night. Large groups can still be accommodated for the final performance on Wednesday the 7th. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office weekdays 11-1 at 546-5788 or buy online anytime at lemarslive.org.
(Renae Buss prances around the stage as “Essie.”
Photo credit: Sylvia Riedeman)
