Theatre Co. of Saugus

The Theatre Company of Saugus (TCS) will present You Can?t Take It With You, the classic 1937 farce by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It tells the story of the Sycamores, a family of upbeat eccentrics determined to march to the beat of their own drum even as the uptight ?real? world comes knocking on their door. Often credited as the inspiration for the modern situation comedy, this thoroughly American exploration of eccentricity and utopian living has influenced everything from The Munsters to The Simpsons. It won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. You Can?t Take It With You is will be presented just after Tax Day, since the Sycamores have never paid their income taxes. The TCS performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays, April 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:30 PM, with matinees on Sundays, April 22, 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM. The location is the East Saugus United Methodist Church / 85 Chestnut Street, at the corner of Winter Street / Saugus, Massachusetts. In accordance with the depression-era setting of the show, the ticket price is only $10 for all patrons. This is the lowest community theater ticket price anywhere. Ticket sales, directions, and information may be found on the TCS website at tcsaugus.org, or by phone at 781-816-2019. Christian O?Neill is the director of the TCS production of You Can?t Take It With You. He previously directed their 2003 production of Lend Me A Tenor. The cast includes a number of veterans and newcomers to the TCS stage: Frank S. Hildebrand portrays Grandpa Martin Vanderhof, the patriarch who embodies the family?s live and let live attitude. Susan Roberts is Penny Vanderhof Sycamore, a playwright and painter. Stephen Russo is her husband Paul Sycamore, who builds fireworks in the basement. He is assisted by Larry Segel as Mr. DePinna, who also models for Penny?s paintings. Ed Carmichael, played by Josh Black, enjoys printing and playing the xylophone. Meghann Breton plays Essie Carmichael, who has been studying dance for eight years, under the tutelage of Lisa Pizzano as Bella Kolenkhova. Michelle Wells portrays Alice Sycamore, the only conventional member of the family. Her boyfriend is Tony Kirby, played by Matt Dickerson. His parents, David Roberts and Barbara Hunt as Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, feel rather uncomfortable when they come for a visit. Other guests, Lisa Scopa as drunken actress Gay Wellington, and Barbara Hunt as Russian émigré Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, feel right at home. Minelva LaPlante portrays Rheba, the cook, and Francisco Berrios is her boyfriend Donald. Tom Muxie is Mr. Henderson, from the IRS. Richard Vogel, Kevin Greene, and Sherri Raftery play G-Men, who also visit at an inopportune time.