By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 2-06-07
Brett Robinson (l) and Matt Goldenberg in 'You Can't Take It With You'
GREENSBORO, NC – No, you can’t take it with you, but you can see it onstage at UNCG.
UNCG Theatre presents Kaufman and Hart’s uproarious classic “You Can’t Take it With You” Feb. 16-25 in Taylor Theatre.
The play was written in 1936 by the legendary team of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It centers on Alice, the youngest daughter of the delightfully eccentric Sycamore family, who falls in love with Tony, the son of her wealthy and boring boss, Mr. Kirby. The two worlds collide in a cacophony of fireworks – subsequently squelched by a message of hope from the clan’s patriarch, Grandpa Vanderhof.
It is exactly this message of hope that makes the play so relevant, so necessary, said the show’s director, Bill Raulerson. “In this day and time, if we have an opportunity to offer even a glimmer of hope to the world, we must, otherwise we do humanity a disservice.”
Raulerson said the play, which won a Pulitzer Prize and was made into a 1938 film, began as a light-hearted musing by its authors. Kaufman and Hart, whose other works together include “George Washington Slept Here” and “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” simply decided to write a play about “these eccentric people who live in a house together.” They knocked it out in about two months.
“It’s a good, solid play,” Raulerson said. “And it’s funny. It’s the original oddball character comedy, and it set the stage for modern sitcoms.”
What makes UNCG’s production so special? Raulerson said it’s unique because it is not traditionally done with such a racially diverse cast. Guest artist Junious Leak, an African-American actor recently seen in TriadStage’s “Beautiful Star,” will take the lead as Grandpa. Leak’s many theater credits include “Paul Robeson” with the National Black Theatre Festival, and “Fences” and “Zooman and the Sign” at the Kennedy Center.
The student cast includes: Peter Duffy as Mr. Kirby, Brett Robinson as Penny Sycamore, Franny Civitano as Alice Sycamore and Daniel Stine as Tony Kirby. Scene designer is Jenn Baker, costume designer is Amoreena Kissel and lighting designer is Kasendra Bell.
“Having someone of Junious’s caliber just raised the bar for everybody else,” Raulerson said. “And they are all up to the task certainly.”
Show times and dates are: 8 p.m. on February 16, 17, 23, 24; 7 p.m. on February 20, 21, 22; and 2 p.m. on February 18 and 25. Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens, students and children; $7 for UNCG students; and $8 for groups and UNCG Alumni Association members.
For ticket information, call the University Box Office at 336-334-4849 or log on to http://boxoffice.uncg.edu/.
