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You Can't Take It With You
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
The script for “You Can’t Take It With You” might be out of date, but its message will never lose its relevancy.
The Youngstown Playhouse’s production of the play, which premiered in 1936, will open Friday.
Joe Scarvell is directing the family comedy, which serves as a reminder to enjoy life and not be a slave to the rat race.
“It’s about what’s really important in life,” said Scarvell. “This wonderful story should remind everyone, young and old, to enjoy life now because you certainly can’t take it with you.”
The family comedy, written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was later adapted into a film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
It’s the story of a love that brings together two families that are polar opposites, one liberal and loopy and the other staid and wealthy.
Questions are quick to arise as to whether their marriage would work because of their family differences, until the groom’s father sees the error in his ways.
Although the script has been updated a few times by subsequent film versions, Scarvell is sticking with the 1936 original.
“I don’t want to change it,” he said. “You can’t beat it. You can lose something if you try. The audience will do their own updating. They’ll say, ‘My God, it’s 2015 and people are still the same.’”
The cast of nearly 20 is led by Tom Jones, Barbara Malizia, Eric Kibler, Jackie Stevens and Jason Green, with Monica Beasley-Martin, Stephanie Cambro, Jim Canacci, Brian K. Dew, Jim Hain, Cher Halas, Lawrence Latsko, Michelle Moorhead, Emily Pasquale, John Pecano, Terry Shears, Brandon Studer, Brian West and Bob Wilson rounding out the ensemble.
A beautiful set that recreates a grand old house with several rooms has been created by Jim Lybarger. The intricate design includes large windows and curtains, a fireplace, and even a wallpaper pattern that would have looked exquisite in its day.
Lighting design is by Ellen Licitra, sound design by John Pecano, and costumes by Therese Pitzulo. The production stage manager is Mary Ellen Cleary with an assist by Brian K. Dew.
“You Can’t Take It With You” will run for six performances over the next two weekends: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; and 7:30 p.m. March 26, 27 and 28.
Tickets are selling briskly for the play, said Playhouse operations manager Bernie Appugliese, continuing a strong season at the box office for the theater.