By Sarah Pfander
Gargoyle assistant editor
Posted Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, The OG, arts & news

“Rumors,” “The Crucible,” “The Curious Savage” — Uni's history of fall plays has been varied but consistently entertaining and well done. This year will most likely follow that trend when students perform George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's comedy, “You Can't Take It With You.”

The production will be performed 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4 in the North Attic Playhouse. Tickets will cost $6 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, and children.

With opening night just a week away, there is still a lot of work to be done. As director Barbara Ridenour explains, there are always things to be considered and concerns to be addressed as tech week nears.

“You always wonder, will it all get done?” she says. “Will I find the right props? Will the set, lights, etc., be good?”

However, Ridenour has plenty of reasons to be excited about this production.

“This script is a classic, and a great experience for all groups — especially high schoolers.”

The 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning play is about a crazy dinner party between the wacky Sycamores and the “normal” Kirbys. When Alice Sycamore (played by Daisy Hassani) and Tony Kirby (Robert Croisant) fall in love and become engaged, their two families must meet in a chaotic and humorous clash between lifestyle and philosophy.

Ridenour describes the Sycamores as “a delightfully wacky family who dabble in playwriting, stamp and snake collecting, fireworks, printing, candy making, xylophone playing, ballet, and avoiding the IRS.”

When the Kirbys arrive on the wrong night for the dinner party, Ridenour says, chaos ensues and the engagement seems to be off.

“Other characters who come to the house are a Russian ballet teacher, an ex-grand duchess, a tax collector, government agents and more,” she adds. “Grandpa Vanderhof (Martin Geiger) presides over the whole mad group.”

Senior Jackie Hedeman, who plays Penelope Sycamore, Alice's mother, shares Ridenour's enthusiasm for the play.

“I think this is a really great cast who will work together well in what is ultimately an ensemble comedy,” Hedeman said.

Senior Alex Cahill, who plays Boris Kolenkhov, the Russian ballet teacher, agrees.

“The cast has been working hard,” he says, “and the play is well written and funny, so everything should turn out well.”

“YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU”
— By George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
— Performances: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
— Location: North Attic Playhouse, Uni High
— Tickets: $6 for adults; $5 for students, seniors, children
— Director: Barbara Ridenour


CAST
— Penelope Sycamore: Jackie Hedeman
— Essie: Sarah Lake-Rayburn
— Rheba: Anna Gooler
— Paul Sycamore: James Smith
— Mr. DePinna: Ben Schaap
— Ed: Ethan Berl
— Donald: Zack Goldberg
— Martin Vanderhof: Martin Geiger
— Alice Sycamore: Daisy Hassani
— Henderson: Buck Walsh
— Tony Kirby: Robert Croisant
— Boris Kolenkhov: Alex Cahill
— Gay Wellington: Lor Sligar
— Mr. Kirby: Ethan Stone
— Mrs. Kirby: Hannah Lake-Rayburn
— Olga: Larissa Pittenger
— Agents: Rachel Cascio, Michelle Gao, Karen Han, Angela Jin, Lauren Piester, Buck Walsh