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Plenty of pyrotechnics in Central's 'You Can't Take it With You'

Posted November 04, 2009 10:00 pm

By Melissa Jenco Daily Herald Staff

John Ludlam, Julia Hector, Emily Walker and Megan Lipski rehearse a scene from "You Can't Take it With You." Naperville Central High School will stage the show today though Sunday. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer

There aren't too many plays that combine government agents, fireworks, a ballerina and a xylophone player.

But Naperville Central's latest show does just that as it tells the tale of the quirky Sycamore family.

Students will perform "You Can't Take it With You" at 7:30 p.m. today, Nov. 5; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the school, 440 W. Aurora Ave. Tickets are $5.

"It's a classic comedy and it's very well-written," director Tom Ulbrich said. "It's a big cast, which I'm always looking for, and it also gives our technicians a challenge here because it involves a lot of pyrotechnics they don't get to play with a great deal. Everybody loves good explosions."

The comedy was written by George Kaufman and Moss Hart. Set in the 1930s, it is about Alice Sycamore and Tony Kirby who are engaged to be married. The problem is that Alice is convinced Tony's family won't like her own eccentric clan.

For example, there's Grandpa, who quit working 35 years ago because he didn't enjoy it. Now he only does what he feels like, whether it's going to the zoo, collecting snakes or playing darts. Grandpa embodies the title of the show, but senior Ian James, who plays the character, said it wasn't so easy to relate to that mindset.

"There's all this homework I have to do and all these rehearsals and lines to memorize so it's hard to think I'm only going to do what I want to do," James said. "But it's been really interesting to think how different I would be if everyone had that outlook on life."

Another character, Essie, is an aspiring dancer who spends most of the show "en pointe" - on the tips of her toes.

Yet another spends most of his time playing the xylophone.

"All of the characters are complicated in their own unique way, so I think (the audience) will be able to connect with at least one of them," said senior Lauren Ruvola, who plays mom Penny.

To help get into character, junior Jackie Hoffman said some of the actors used a hot seat exercise in which they answered questions about their favorite movie or book as they thought their character would answer.

Special effects also will help the show come to life.

"I want the audience to jump at some points to think, 'Wow, this house really is a mad house and anything can go in this house,'" said junior Dan Crowley, who handled sound design.

Junior Jackson Pierce, who plays Tony Kirby, said the audience will like the slapstick, physical humor.

"It will be a very comical show," he said, "and will always keep people asking what's going to happen next."

If you go

What: "You Can't Take it With You"

When: 7:30 p.m. today; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8

Where: Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.

Tickets: $5

Info: (630) 420-3885

Cast

Penelope (Penny) Sycamore: Lauren Ruvola, Carolyn Foote*

Essie: Julia Hector, Kat Wiersum

Rheba: Becca Wilson, Krissy Ludlam

Paul Sycamore: Daniel Crowley, Kevin Brown

Mr. DePinna: Terry Ivers, Mark Kim

Ed: Alex Sistowicz, Spenser Bice

Donald: Nick Ciliak, Zaeem Awan

Martin Vanderhof (Grandpa): Ian James, John Ludlam

Alice: Megan Lipski, Jackie Hoffman

Henderson: Kate Rudolph, Haleigh Buchfink

Tony: Jackson Pierce, Mike Raleigh

Boris Kolenkhov: Kevin Brown, Daniel Crowley

Gay Wellington: Angela Geiss, Kristen Strom

Mr. Kirby: John Ludlam, Ian James

Mrs. Kirby: Emily Walker, Carolyn Susa

Seven Men: Amy Parquette, Liz Assalley, Olivia Palak, Sarah Braun, Ashley Lamb, Nora Foley, Abigail Zeeb; Understudies Rebecca Mayer, Jacob Kemner, Aly Nunez, Allison Zeeb, Alexis Thies, Regan Carey

Olga: Lauren Hughes, Meaghan Fenelon

* Note: The first actor listed will appear Friday and Saturday. The second actor listed is the understudy who will appear Thursday and Sunday.

Megan Lipski and Ian James rehearse a scene from Naperville Central's production of "You Can't Take it With You." The show tells the story of Alice, played by Lipski, who is afraid her quirky family will be too much for her fiance's family to handle. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer

Angela Geiss, center, and her Naperville Central classmates prepare for their upcoming production of "You Can't Take it With You." The comedy includes government agents, a ballerina, xylophone player and some pyrotechnics to keep the audience on its toes. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=334042">Director Ulbrich on 'You Can't Take it With You' <span class="date">[11/05/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>

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