MHS students perform ‘You Can’t Take it With You’
A cast of 19 will bring the classic comedy “You Can’t Take it With You” to the Mundelein High School stage at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 14-16, with an additional 3:45 p.m. show Nov. 14. Tickets will be available at the door at $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
MHS Theatre audiences have become accustomed to seeing scene and light designs by 1997 MHS alum Sara Gunther, but for this production she will occupy the director’s chair.
“I am very excited to be directing this show,” Gunther said. “It is a wonderful ensemble piece. We have been having a great time in rehearsal finding the wild, madcap aspects of these characters, while at the same time keeping them grounded in reality.”
When the 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart debuted to instant acclaim during the Great Depression, it was clear that the playwrights had come up with the perfect remedy for the nation’s troubles: laughter and optimism.
So, it is no surprise that in the 21st century it’s still one of the funniest and most endearing plays around.
The action centers on the zany inhabitants of the Vanderhof household — a joyous madhouse populated by lovable eccentrics, artists and anarchists. But when granddaughter Alice falls in love with the son of a Wall Street banker, mayhem ensues as values and philosophies collide.
The cast is led by senior Ryan Eifert, who plays Grandpa, and junior Sydney Salit, who plays Penelope Sycamore. Real-life sisters Josie and Rachel David are playing sisters Essie and Alice.
“For once, I get to be the older sister,” said Josie, a sophomore.
Other cast members include Patricia Roques, Jacob Meier, Diego Hernandez, Aaron Banez, Oscar Delgado, Natalie Lawrence, Walter Kasmer, Haggai Simon, Karen Kortge, Michael Campbell, Maya St. Clair, Chamaya Moody, Thomas Ferro, Alex Frumkin and Angel Montero.
Rylee Freeman and Emma Morton serve as assistant directors, and Jessica Hojsan is stage manager.