The Bell Ringer

Issue date: 10/27/09 Section: Arts & Life

Comedy takes stage at the Maxwell Theatre with the fall production of "You Can't Take It With You," a story meant to teach a few lessons while having a good laugh.

The play, written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, tells the story of a rich boy, Tony Kirby, who falls in love with the middle class girl, Alice Sycamore. But it's when the Kirby family arrives at the Sycamore home for dinner on the wrong evening that comedy ensues.

"It's just a wonderful all-American farce is what it is," Director Carolyn Cope said. "It's just one of those old chestnuts that's been around since the late '30s."

The Sycamore family is centered around Grandpa, a man who worked in business for more than 30 years before leaving it all behind because to have more fun.

"His whole philosophy is if you don't enjoy your life then what point is it because you can't take it with you, which is the whole philosophy of the play," Cope explained. "We only go around once so we should find what we love and do it, no matter what it is."

And it just so happens that the rest of the Sycamore's picked up on the philosophy, each one indulging in his own passion. Grandpa, for instance, likes to race snakes and play darts, among other things, while his daughter Penny enjoys writing books and painting. Some other hobbies in the Sycamore home include ballet, playing music and printing.

"Anything and everything is OK with them," Cope said. "Everyone is entitled to and should enjoy themselves and pursue their passions and that doesn't necessarily mean making a lot of money."

This idea, however, clashes with the more conservative Kirby family, causing problem after problem for Tony and Alice as their families continue to butt heads.

Cope, who is also an associate professor of communications, said she has seen the performance many times before and the audiences always seemed to love it. So when the actors began begging to stray away from the typical serious plays, Cope turned to "You Can't Take It With You," but there was another reason she gave for picking this particular play.

"The thing that attracted me to this script is the similarities and the parallels between what was going on at the time this play was written and what's going on now," she said. "So I decided given our economic downturn, and this play having been written in response to the Great Depression, why not take this play and see if we can't bring it up to present day."

Some adjustments were made to the script by Cope and the cast in order to shift the play from a 1930s New York setting to a 2000s Augusta setting.

"If you want a laugh, you should come," said Rebekah Bearden, a junior theater major who plays Penny Sycamore. "If you think your life is crazy, and even if you don't like theater, you should come. It has something for everyone."

One scene Cope and cast members guarantee will make the audience laugh has a Russian ballet instructor throwing Mr. Kirby to the floor to demonstrate Roman wrestling moves.

But on top of the comedic elements, Cope added that the production should be visually stunning as well, thanks to designer and technical director Shelly Ford.

"You Can't Take It With You" will be performed in the Maxwell Theatre at 8 p.m. Nov. 5-7 and then at 3 p.m. Nov. 8. Admission will be free with a valid JagCard or will be $10 without one.

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