43
By Eric McCrea
By Eric McCrea
Youngstown
Every family has its own set of issues, but some families get extra.
In the Youngstown Playhouse’s latest production, “You Can’t Take It With You,” we meet a xylophonist, a confectioner, a playwright and a snake charmer, just to name a few, all living under one big roof.
Alice Sycamore, played by Jackie Stevens, is bringing home a man she’s been dating, but she’s not thrilled about the prospect of him meeting her hodgepodge family. However, her beau Tony Kirby (Jason Green) finds the family to be quite charming. Things don’t go as smoothly a week later when Tony’s parents enter the picture. After Alice has second thoughts about joining the Kirby family, Grandpa, played by Tom Jones, fixes everything with a wholesome speech.
Though the script is on the bland side, an incredible ensemble made this play worth watching.
Emily Pasquale was an instant standout as Alice’s sister and amateur ballerina Essie. She bubbles over with mirth every moment on stage. Her constant cajoling is a delight, and despite playing an unskilled dancer, her technique shines through.
Lawrence Lasko gives a fun performance as Mr. De Pinna, a longtime boarder. Between his work with pyrotechnics and posing for paintings, he proves to be a great addition to the family.
Eric Kibler gives a bombastic showing of Boris Kolenkhov, a Russian ballet teacher. With his booming accent, Kibler never fails to entertain.
In similar fashion, Stephanie Cambro was unforgettable as the deposed Russian duchess-turned-waitress, Olga. The only flaw is that she doesn’t get enough stage time.
In the role of Mr. Kirby, Terry Shears is solid. He has a natural comedic air, which betrays him in this role, stripping away his ability to add tension to the situation, but he’s always inspiring as an actor.
Another standout, Cher Halas, also was on stage too briefly in the role of Mrs. Kirby. Her use of dialogue was an unexpected surprise, a skill that often gets overlooked, and she embodied the role beautifully.
Jones was a great choice as the family patriarch. He sets the tone for the family, and he does it with ease. Though gifting everyone he meets with a kind wisdom, he shows no fear in embracing his own quirks.
Stevens is a natural in this role. She brings that ’30s-era quality that can be best described as gumption. There’s a leading-lady quality about her, and she’s sure to be seen more in the future.
D.C. Colvin was spot on in the role of Donald. Joining the show late, Colvin learned the part in less than a week, but you couldn’t tell from his performance.
Though the script has some flaws, director Joseph Scarvell does not. His cast of nearly 20 has no weak link, and his guidance extracts finely polished performances from everyone. Paired with a gorgeous set designed by Jim Lybarger, Scarvell makes this play a hallmark of classic theater experiences.
“You Can’t Take It With You” runs today at 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, call 330-788-8739.