6-10-08

Summer Fun with “You Can’t Take It With You”

Walpole Players’ Classic Comedy June 20, 21, 22 and 26, 28, and 29

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            “You Can’t Take It With You”, the classic Moss Hart/George Kaufman family comedy, lights up Walpole’s Town Hall "Chickie" Miller Theater Friday and Saturday evenings, June 20-21, Sunday afternoon June 22 at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, June 26, 28 and 29 in a Walpole Players production directed by Jim Skofield.

            The beloved comedy’s stage version won the Pulitzer Prize in 1936, and its film version won the Academy Award in 1938. 

“It’s as relevant today as when it debuted because it focuses on funny family situations,” noted director Skofield this week. “We’re doing it in period costumes, and it’s just a refreshing—and very funny—splash of summer fun!” 

“Our cast is almost completely ‘old hands’ among Walpole Players, although we do have several newcomers that are adding spice to the recipe!” says Skofield.

            The plot revolves around the wacky Sycamore family and their friends and acquaintances. Penny and Paul Sycamore (played by Jean Kobeski and Bill Holtz) lead the Sycamores and introduce the audience to a menagerie of strange and wonderful characters.

            Alice Sycamore (played by Rebecca Holtz) is interested in Tony Kirby (played by Brandon Norman) and enjoys the coincidental role of stage daughter as well as real daughter of Bill Holtz.

            Tom Durnford plays the hilarious Russian ballet master, and Tara Sad plays The Grand Duchess Olga Katrina.  Ray Boas plays Martin Vanderhof “Grandpa”, Jack Pratt plays Henderson, and Chas Street reprises his law enforcement persona as an FBI agent along with Deb Robarge.

            A newcomer to The Walpole Players, Kathy Reilly, a small animal vet in Keene, saw last year’s Walpole Players production of “Rumors” and found small town theater was irresistible. Never before on the stage, this year she’s the maid, Mary, and Skofield says she has “the best Irish accent I’ve heard.”

Director Skofield says the highlight for him in this new production is "the feeling of ensemble…the feeling of family.  Our actors know each other so well that they can play off each other with amazingly skill and make a very funny play even funnier.”

Barbara Casper, says Skofield, “is doing her usual magic” with costumes, and Bill Perron and David Sanchez-Navarro are building the set.  Becky Pearson is stage manager, Ben Northcott is designing the lighting, and Caitlin Baucom is creating the graphics.  Eric Merklein manages the sound, Kris Tyson is the house manager, and Myra Mansouri is handling the box office.

            Tickets for “You Can’t Take It with You” are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 10.  They are available at Galloway Real Estate Services, Real to Reel Video, the Walpole Village Market and Burdick’s Café.  Early ticket purchases are recommended to avoid being left out.