The importance of family is message of AHS play
Published on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Arts & Entertainment
Students at Arlington High School are getting a life lesson through their production of the classic comedy, "You Can't Take It With You," by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufmann. The show runs for two weekends, April 24 and 25 and May 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center.
"This very funny play has some relevant themes for our time," said drama teacher Scott Moberly. "It reminds us that there are more important things in life than money, and we should take advantage of every moment we have with our loved ones."
"It's the right message at the right time," he added, "and the kids are getting it."
A perennial stage favorite, "You Can't Take It With You" tells the story of the eccentric Sycamores, an extended family of individualists who pursue their unique interests with passion and creativity. The mother, Penny, is an unpublished playwright (for good reason), her husband Paul tinkers with fireworks in the basement with the help of a semi-permanent houseguest, Mr. DePinna. The couple's oldest daughter, Essie, dreams of being a dancer while her husband plays the xylophone and runs a printing press. Grandpa Martin is an anti-tax rebel, which eventually threatens to bring the IRS to his door.
Added into this lively mix is a Russian ballet instructor, Boris Kolenkhov, and the exiled Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, whose current job as a waitress in a diner has not lessened her regal bearing.
The Sycamores' daughter Alice, a relatively normal young woman who works in an office, is reluctant to have her boyfriend meet her family. Young Tony Kirby is the only son in a wealthy family and she worries that her family's idiosyncracies would be too much for him.
Alexa Soriano, a senior at AHS, plays Mrs. Kirby, an uptight, snobby woman very different from the warm and funny Alexa.
"My character is very unlikable," Alexa agreed, "but the role serves a purpose. I hope people will see how prejudiced and unkind she is, and realize that they don't want to be like her. Maybe they'll see how that kind of behavior impacts everyone around them."
Many of Moberly's students are experiencing turmoil in their own lives, with parents facing job losses and schools trying to deal with budget cuts that might impact programs. The play is helping them cope with the idea of living with less.
"It's important for these kids to enjoy the experience of now," said Moberly, who is in his fourth year of teaching at AHS. "And hopefully the audience will also see, hear and be reminded of what's really important in their lives."
As a friend reminded him, "shrouds have no pockets."
To encourage more family attendance for the show, ticket prices have been lowered to 1930s levels. Adult admission is only $8 per person, with $6 tickets for seniors and students. Tickets are available online at www.byrnesperformingarts.org and at Flowers by George in downtown Arlington.
"This very funny play has some relevant themes for our time," said drama teacher Scott Moberly. "It reminds us that there are more important things in life than money, and we should take advantage of every moment we have with our loved ones."
"It's the right message at the right time," he added, "and the kids are getting it."
A perennial stage favorite, "You Can't Take It With You" tells the story of the eccentric Sycamores, an extended family of individualists who pursue their unique interests with passion and creativity. The mother, Penny, is an unpublished playwright (for good reason), her husband Paul tinkers with fireworks in the basement with the help of a semi-permanent houseguest, Mr. DePinna. The couple's oldest daughter, Essie, dreams of being a dancer while her husband plays the xylophone and runs a printing press. Grandpa Martin is an anti-tax rebel, which eventually threatens to bring the IRS to his door.
Added into this lively mix is a Russian ballet instructor, Boris Kolenkhov, and the exiled Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, whose current job as a waitress in a diner has not lessened her regal bearing.
The Sycamores' daughter Alice, a relatively normal young woman who works in an office, is reluctant to have her boyfriend meet her family. Young Tony Kirby is the only son in a wealthy family and she worries that her family's idiosyncracies would be too much for him.
Alexa Soriano, a senior at AHS, plays Mrs. Kirby, an uptight, snobby woman very different from the warm and funny Alexa.
"My character is very unlikable," Alexa agreed, "but the role serves a purpose. I hope people will see how prejudiced and unkind she is, and realize that they don't want to be like her. Maybe they'll see how that kind of behavior impacts everyone around them."
Many of Moberly's students are experiencing turmoil in their own lives, with parents facing job losses and schools trying to deal with budget cuts that might impact programs. The play is helping them cope with the idea of living with less.
"It's important for these kids to enjoy the experience of now," said Moberly, who is in his fourth year of teaching at AHS. "And hopefully the audience will also see, hear and be reminded of what's really important in their lives."
As a friend reminded him, "shrouds have no pockets."
To encourage more family attendance for the show, ticket prices have been lowered to 1930s levels. Adult admission is only $8 per person, with $6 tickets for seniors and students. Tickets are available online at www.byrnesperformingarts.org and at Flowers by George in downtown Arlington.