When Tolstoy said, “Happy families are all alike,” he was most emphatically NOT referring to the Vanderhof-Sycamore-Carmichael clan in You Can’t Take It With You! Grandpa Vanderhof (Charles Summerfield) collects live snakes and has never paid income tax. Penny Sycamore (Katie Farnum) writes scandalously racy plays, the most recent of which stars perpetually-tipsy actress Gay Wellington (Andrea Frassoni). Paul Sycamore (Don Cheetham) makes illegal fireworks in the basement with the help of their former iceman, Mr. DePinna (Matt Snyder). Essie Sycamore Carmichael (Lindsey Barnett), like many 5-year-old girls, dreams of being a famous ballerina, except that she’s no longer 5 and cannot dance. Her husband, Ed Carmichael (Brad Aucker), is an amateur printer whose work nobody is clamoring for.
Enter Alice Sycamore (Caitlin Monahan), the calm, steady center of the family. She is in love with a calm, steady young man, Tony (Peter James Mann), the son of her boring, buttoned-up boss Mr. Kirby (Andy Wnuk) and the seemingly traditional Mrs. Kirby (Shannon Price). Hijinks ensue when Tony’s family arrives on the wrong night for an introductory dinner and experiences the Vanderhofs, Sycamores, Carmichaels, and their entourage in all of their…well, let’s just call it glory…
Rounding out the cast are Vahan Berberian (Kolenkhof), Joseph Beregi (Donald), Elise Dervinis (Grand Duchess Olga Katrina), Warren Fox & Kevin Kane (G-Men), Arthur Klein (Henderson), and Melissa Shaner (Reba).
Wrapping up a regular season of all-women directors, this award-winning Kaufman and Hart classic is helmed by Christa Fisher, with consulting and producing assistance from Rhonda Bastarache and stage management from Becky Iscaro. Wayne Grinwis designed the set, Tim Bean the lights, Kevin Robinson the sound, Kelley Stanford the costumes, and Gabrielle Cherelli the props.
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU opens May 31 and runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 through June 15, with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 on June 9. Purchase your tickets and select your seats online at www.barleysheaf.org or call the box office at 610.363.7075.
The Barley Sheaf Players is a non-profit, inclusive community theater organization dedicated to the ongoing promotion and encouragement of dramatic arts in the region. BSP is located at 810 N. Whitford Rd in Lionville, PA and throughout the year welcomes new members interested in all aspects of theater at all levels of experience.
Theater/Organization: The Barley Sheaf Players
Theater Address: 810 N. Whitford Road Lionville, Pennsylvania 19353 (Map It)
Theater Phone: (610) 363-7075
