The central theme of "You Can’t Take It With You" is blatant: Enjoy every moment of your short life instead of trudging through until retirement. The script by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman is layered with strangely relevant libertarian values, but it is the endearing story of love’s persistence and the struggle between pursuing what you want as opposed to what you ought that makes it a truly timeless American tale.
The current production at Michigan State University, however, feels unsure and inconsistent. The most entertaining moments arrive during its second act when the value sets of two distinct families visibly collide. Having recently married, I found this scene amusingly familiar. The rest of the play suffers from a lack of collective energy and momentum that never drives the production to its full potential.
Director John Lepard has consistently demonstrated a knack for working with developing actors to experienced veterans to create near-seamless productions. His efforts here feel less realized from an overall perspective, but most of the individual performers are confident and solid, leaving moments that attempt to make up for the big picture.
From the world’s skinniest Russian (Spencer Perrenoud) to Leslie Hull as the nurturing head of the household, cast members fill their roles with a natural spirit and honest intentions.
The rough patches come from actors such as Emily Young, whose portrayal of the status-seeking daughter Alice lacks even a spark of charisma. Young smiles when she’s happy and furrows her brow the rest of the time when she is not, but provides no elements of chemistry for her charming co-star Wes Haskell as her suitor, Tony Kirby. Young is not the only weak spot, but she is the most prominent and essential.Haskell, on the other hand, plays his nice-guy/straight-man character with incredible ease and a visual awareness of his surrounding environment. He is matched by Michelle Meredith, whose beautifully understated performance blends effortlessly into the mixture.
Lansing Community College faculty member Andy Callis provides legitimate warmth to Grandpa Sycamore. Callis has some of the driest lines and delivers them with sharp comic timing.
One of the most pleasant surprises is the play’s use of the Arena Theater. Credit is due both to G. “Max” Maxin IV for his scenic design and properties master Zac Campbell for their efforts in this area. With the furniture along the outside edge of the stage, the audience peers into through the invisible walls to a cast who are all mindful of sight lines demonstrating a creative and fully visible use of the tricky space.
Ryan Davies’ lighting design effectively blends the colors for emotional impact while Amber Marisa Cook’s costumes beautifully fit the period, as well as the actors.
"You Can’t Take It With You"
8
p.m. Feb. 5-6 and 2 p.m. Feb. 6-7 Auditorium Arena Theatre, Michigan
State University $12 adults, $8 students (800) WHARTON theatre.msu.edu
