The fall play this year was You Can’t Take It With You, a comedy of two families meeting for the first time. One is very eccentric, while the other is wealthy and uptight. It revolves around the unlikely romance of Anthony Kirby Jr. and Alice Sycamore, whose engagement forced their families to interact. When the Kirby family arrives at the Sycamores’ home for dinner on the wrong night, the result is a chaotic whirlwind of clashing values.
The Set
The set design was one of the production’s greatest strengths. The backdrop was a custom-painted wall designed to resemble an old-fashioned grandmotherly home. It was filled with numerous small details to give the home a lived-in appearance. The walls featured many pictures to add character, an upstairs nook, and various entrances and exits. Other set pieces included a dining table, printing press, xylophone, and snake enclosure, which were all methodically designed to represent the unconventional and quirky nature of the Sycamore family. This may have been the most impressive set that I have seen in recent productions. Every detail was intentional and added so mu
ch to the depth and realism of the play.
Standout Performances
Not only was the set outstanding, but the cast was as well. Every actor elegantly represented their character’s unique personality. My personal favorite character was the grandpa, Martin Vanderhof, played by senior Eli Levin. Playing a character in his mid-seventies as a high schooler is no small feat, but his performance was genuine and very convincing. Another standout is Alice Sycamore, played by junior Gabrielle Sullivan, who very thoughtfully balanced the play’s chaos with poise and sincerity while also capturing the mannerisms of the 1930s.
Every role in the production meaningfully contributed to the final product. From the leads to the supporting characters, the performances were consistently strong. If I could highlight them all individually, I would have nothing but praise.
Cast Interviews
After the show, I spoke with some of the cast members to learn about their experiences throughout the rehearsal process. Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, played by junior Samantha Koerner, said, “The community is so awesome, and we all got so close from doing the show. It really helped us perform the close relationships
that are in the show”. The assistant director, Kaelin Dunn, said, “The cast was amazing and the crew did so much amazing work on the set. Everyone worked super hard, especially towards the end when we had such little time. It’s one of the best plays we’ve done throughout my whole high school experience”. Junior Annabel Glasser, who overheard this interview and also had the privilege of being in the audience, offered, “Not that it matters, but I agree”.
Final Thoughts
You Can’t Take It With You was an amazing representation of the talent, dedication, and creativity in the HPHS theater department. The intricate set, committed performances, and striking costumes made it a production to remember. I rate it a ten out of ten.