The Sycamores and the Kirbys are the family units that fuel “You Can’t Take It With You.”
The comedy, which made its Broadway premiere in 1936, is set to run Sept. 15-Oct. 1, at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
In circulation for more than 80 years, “You Can’t Take It With You” has been a well known commodity on the major-theater circuit, as well as in high schools and at community theater venues across the country.
“The only challenge, I think, would be the fact that so many people have seen the play or read the play or been associated with the play in some way, so there is a great deal of familiarity with it,” director Donald Beck said. “And so we just want to make sure that we kind of have a new feel to it.”
At the same time, Beck indicated that he still wants to “honor the intent” of playwrights George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.
Set in the mid 1930s, “You Can’t Take It With You” operates on the premise that the Sycamores, at first, seem mad. But the realization soon sets in that if they are mad, “the rest of the world is madder,” according to promotional material from the Memorial Opera House.
“It’s a great message about acceptance and family love,” said Beck, a 59-year-old Michigan City resident.
Beck feels the play strikes a chord on behalf of inclusion, “in terms of accepting people for who they are, and not trying to force people to do things they don’t want to do.”
Guiding a cast of 19, Beck said he is handling a “very witty” piece of American theater.
“It incorporates a lot of different styles of comedy,” he noted. “There is a little bit of farce involved — a lot of fast dialogue. There is some physical comedy in it also.”
While other performers revel in the inherent humor of their roles, Laura Carns is entrusted with the more strait-laced persona of Alice Sycamore.
“Alice is kind of a modern-day woman for the ’30s; she works in an office,” Carns said. “She wants to, kind of, be part of a modern, serious conservative family, and that’s not what they are at all.”
Carns said prepping for the play has tested her, in one way.
“I have to keep a straight face; it’s been a challenge working with all these hilarious people,” said Carns, noting it is a restrictive feeling “to not be able to crack up or join in on the fun.”
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Still, there is a definite upside to portraying the amicable Alice Sycamore, who was played by Jean Arthur in the 1938 film adaptation.
“I think it’s definitely fun in its own right,” the 31-year-old Hebron resident said. “But it’s definitely a challenge to keep it all straight in an otherwise just extremely outrageous comedy.”
Carns’ husband, Bill Carns, plays Alice’s fiance, Tony Kirby, in the show.
When it debuted eight decades ago, “You Can’t Take It With You” ranked as a buoyant hunk of Great Depression escapism that was delivered by Hollywood.
“It spoke of optimism and looking around the corner for good things, and I think that’s a message that is as relevant today as it was then,” Beck said.
Providing the comic relief is the eccentric Sycamore clan, which has more or less been on hiatus from the prickly real world.
Fireworks are manufactured. Grandfather doesn’t believe in income taxes. And there also is a curious printing press in the parlor.
A romantic thread winds through the storyline as Tony Kirby falls for Alice Sycamore, and brings his parents to dine at the Sycamore home on “the wrong evening,” according to a synopsis from the Memorial Opera House.
The Kirbys “are invited to eat cheap food,” and hurdles pop up along Tony and Alice’s road to bliss.
Beck has confidence in his company of performers, which will bring the play to life at the historic opera house, which dates back to the late 19th century. “We have a terrific cast,” the director assured.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
‘You Can’t Take It With You’
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso
When: Sept. 15-Oct. 1; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Tickets: Adults $21; senior citizens, students, military $18
Information: 219-548-9137, http://www.memorialoperahouse.com