The Montezuma-Cortez High School drama department is debuting its production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, “You Can’t Take It With You” this Friday.
M-CHS drama instructor Nicholaus Sander says students have been working since September on the production, doing everything from designing and building sets to perfecting their lines.
“We’re in production for about eight to 10 weeks,” he said. “
The play centers around the Sycamore family, which values its eccentricities above all, Sander said.
Paul makes fireworks in his basement; Penny writes plays for fun; Essie is a ballerina in training; Ed runs a printing press and plays the xylophone; and Grandpa likes to attend commencements, loves his pet snake and hates paying income taxes. When the daughter, Alice falls in love with her boss’ stock broker son, the two families collide and begin to discover what makes life worth living.
The three-act comedy was originally penned for the stage by George Kaufman and Moss Hart, premiering on Broadway in 1936. It ran for 838 performances.
In 1937, “You Can’t Take It With You” won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was adapted for the screen, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director.
M-CHS Drama’s performance of the classic comedy kicks off Friday Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., and runs throughout the weekend at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 14. Final shows also run Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 21. Tickets are available at the door, in advance at the Montezuma-Cortez High School box office, and can be reserved online at MCHSdrama.org.