Written by Blake Muncy
Harding University will perform its spring play,”You Can’t Take It With You,” on the weekends of April 21-23 and April 28-30 in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center.
“You Can’t Take it With You” is set in the late 1930s in New York City. The story deals with two families of opposite realities of the world coming together because of love. One family has three generations living together in the same house, while the other is a wealthy business family. A combination of these two families coming together creates a comedy filled story.
Comedy exists in all the quirkiness and randomness of the characters. There is even a scene during which one of the daughters takes ballet lessons from a Russian wrestler while a xylophone is being played in the background.
Romance is another feature of the play. One member of the family, Alice Sycamore,falls in love with a wealthy businessman named Tony Kirby. The romance of these individuals causes two families to interact that would never associate with each other.
Director and theater professor and department chair Robin Miller said he is excited for the upcoming showing of the play. He said he believes the play is one of the best American comedies and has stood the test of time.
“I have enjoyed watching our current college students step back in time and see that people are still people,” Miller said. “Come knowing it is time to relax and have a good time.”
Miller said he believes he has been blessed with a great cast that has been willing to participate in long rehearsals.
“I really appreciate the work the students have done on the show,” Miller said. “It is a place to grow in their craft, in their skill, in their confidence.”
Ultimately, Miller said he wants the play to be a learning experience for the students involved. He also wants the audience to enjoy their time while attending the show.
Tyler Perring, a senior theater major, will perform in the upcoming play. He said he has participated in several musicals throughout his life, but this will be his first play.
“It’s been one of the more enjoyable experiences I’ve had,” Perring said. “Even if people don’t enjoy live theater, this show would be a good first step into live theater.”
The cast is a part of the show that Perring said he believes makes the experience even more enjoyable.
“The caliber of people in the show is fantastic,” Perring said. “We have some of the most talented actors at school here in this show.”
Perring said he would recommend this show to anyone. He said it is a showfor all ages and has something for everyone. He hopes the audience members will see a real-life person he or she personally knows in at least one of the characters in the play.
“You Can’t Take It With You” debuted yesterday and will be performed Friday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 23, the cast will perform a matinee at 2:00 p.m.The play will also show the following weekend of April 28-30 at 7:00 p.m. for all three shows.
Tickets for the event are $8 or are free with the Pass. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.hardingtickets. com. Any remaining tickets will be available on the night of the performance at the Ulrey Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets free with the Pass can also be picked up in the box office.
