As part of its 50th anniversary “Golden Hits Series,” Waimea Community Theatre has cast “You Can’t Take it With You,” a comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The WCT winter production is scheduled to open Feb. 28 at Parker School Theatre in Waimea.
“You Can’t Take it With You” is a story of the zany Sycamore family, who at first seem merely mad. It’s not long before the viewer realizes that perhaps the rest of the world is madder still. Alice Sycamore falls in love with Tony Kirby, and his upright and uptight family is drawn into interaction with the Sycamores, leading to many bizarre situations. Some free-spirited family members are engaged in the manufacture of fireworks; a printing press is set up in the parlor; and Grandpa tells the tax collector he doesn’t believe in the income tax. Eventually, Tony’s father is won over to the happy madness of the Sycamore clan, particularly taken by the visiting ex-Grand Duchess Olga Katrina (currently working as a waitress). Can the intended marriage between Alice and Tony possibly work out?
In the WCT production, Alice and Tony will be played by Mady Harper and Jake Miller; Paul and Penelope, parents of the bride-to-be, are portrayed by Destiny Nelson and Melora Purell; John Sucke and Paula Nurse appear as the groom’s parents, Anthony and Miriam Kirby. Grandpa is played by Bob Haber, while Dan Bal plays Mr. DePinna — a temporary house guest for the past eight years. Alice’s sister and her husband, Essie and Ed Carmichael are brought to life by Amy Mills and Dave Merrin. Henderson, the IRS agent, is portrayed by Tahirih Ajimine, and the accompanying G-Man is Steve Taylor. Dedrie Miller and Madeline Schatz play actress Gay Wellington and the visiting Grand Duchess, respectively. Rick Turnbow is Kalenkhov, a Russian Ballet Meister, and Bill Cruise appears in incidental supporting and extra roles.
Directed by Jack Watson with assistance from Rick Turnbow, and produced by Shannon Nelson, the play will run at Parker Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with 3 p.m. Sunday matinees, from Feb. 28 through March 9. Tickets are $15 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, keiki, military and for advance purchase. Tickets are available at Waimea General Store and Without Boundaries Gift Shop in Waimea, and at Suite Possibilities in Kailua-Kona, as well as from cast members, and at the door. More information is available at waimeacommunitytheatre.org, on the WCT Facebook page, or by calling 885-5818.