For years, the Middletown High School Drama department has been producing entertaining productions for the Middletown community to enjoy. This year’s fall play, “You Can’t Take It With You,” a Pulitzer Prize winning three-act comedy, should be no different.

“You Can’t Take It With You,” written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, is the story of the zany Sycamore household, run by Grandpa Vanderhof, a former businessman. Penny Sycamore, Grandpa’s daughter, has become a novelist after someone delivered a typewriter to the house accidently eight years ago. Penny’s husband makes firecrackers in his basement with the help of Mr. DePinna, an iceman who showed up at the Sycamore’s house and never left. Their daughter, Essie, diligently practices ballet 24/7 and her husband, Ed, who’d rather play the xylophone all day, spends his free time selling Essie’s homemade candy and printing slogans which get the family into trouble.  The one normal member of the family is Alice, who is engaged to marry the wealthy Tony Kirby. When the conservative Kirby’s come for dinner to meet the eccentric Sycamore’s, it sparks an exciting and comical experience filled with explosions, a drunken actress and the startling arrival of “G-men.”

Directors Marcy Nicklas and Susan Thornton began the audition process in late September with the hopes of casting a nineteen person cast that would be ready to perform a three act play by the middle of November.

MHS senior Beth Aldrich, a veteran to the MHS stage, was one of the first to sign up for the auditions. Aldrich said she tried out because she is, “always up for a new play.” Once the auditions were finished and the cast list was posted, rehearsals were underway immediately.

Normally the plays at MHS have large casts showcasing the schools immense talent, but “You Can’t Take It With You” is different. The script only calls for 19 people which is an unusually small number for a three act play. MHS junior Eric Looney likes the small cast because it’s “easier to concentrate and there is more of a focus on putting on the play.” The smaller cast also enables the actors to become more like “a little family” said MHS senior Angie Bernazani.

The cast as a whole also seems to like the play and its zaniness. MHS sophomore Sarah Brierly likes the play because she believes “it has something everyone can relate to in a crazy extreme sort of way.” Aldrich likes the upcoming play because she said “it is hilarious to get to know these characters.”

The 2008- 2009 play schedule was announced at last year’s drama banquet which is typically the highlight of the dinner. Most of the cast had not heard of “You Can’t Take It With You” before it was announced, causing everyone to do extra research to prepare for the audition. Brierly watched the movie, the 1938 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, and researched the play online. Even though most of the cast did not know much about “You Can’t Take It With You,” before hand, they have all jumped into their characters’ quirky personalities and brought them to life.

 The cast seems to agree that “You Can’t Take It With You” is a play  audiences will enjoy. “The characters are clearly defined and hysterical,” said Bernazani. Looney said that even though the play is so wacky, older audiences will still think it’s funny. And as Brierly says, “it is sure to be a hit.”

“You Can’t Take It With You” can be seen in the MHS auditorium on Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, November 16 at 2 p.m.