 "Photo: JUDSON PECK/THE BATES STUDENT")
This semester’s mainstage production “You Can’t Take It With You” opened last Friday evening, March 5th. Schaeffer Theatre was filled with roaring laughter as Bates community thespians brought Kaufman’s and Hart’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play to life.
Charles A. Dana Professor of Theater Martin Andrucki’s directing expertise was on full display. His interpretation embellishes the humorous wordplay and undertones in the work, blocking small, non-scripted gestures that induced great laughter and meaning. In a particular scene, clever quips are emphasized with the clank of a printing press, reminiscent of a drummer’s punch line. Andrucki’s masterful visions for the mise en scene articulate a deep understanding of the whimsical work, incorporating satiric elements into scripted ballet dancing as Essie Carmichael, played by Schuyler Rooth ’11, struggles to find balance and grace.
The production’s stage manager, Jen Flanagan ’12, noted that Adrucki’s directing “opens the play up to a multitude of interpretations by the audience.”
Lana Smithner ’10 and Kathryn Moraros ’10 demonstrated their theatrical training. As partial fulfillment of her senior thesis, Smithner plays Alice Sycamore, a young woman who alternates between love and deep distress. Her portrayal displayed refined acting skills and a familiarity with the 1930s. Smithner succeeded in presenting Alice as a likeable character, making it easy for the audience to empathize with a character who is her own antagonist.
Also partially fulfilling her senior thesis, Moraros plays Penny, an older woman who is constantly concerned with her family. She maintained high energy throughout the production, flittering between objectives with scatterbrained focus. Moraros’ talent was evident in every scene that her eccentric character was on stage.
Thomas Chapman ’10 gave an outstanding performance as Kolenkhov, a Russian ballet instructor. He provided a caricature of a grievous Russian citizen who finds happiness in the American lifestyle. Chapman’s Groucho Marx mustache and stock accent were reinforced with directed physicality that drew the eye to his character whenever he was on stage.
Margaret Koerber ’10, exhibited her genius as a designer through the casts’ clothes and wigs, elements based on fashion from the ’30s. Koerber’s work helped the actors fit the age and personality of their characters. For example, Penny wears busy patterns that represent her eccentricity while the clothes are cut so as not to strongly emphasize Moraros’ figure, giving her the appearance of a woman in her 40s.
Rooth’s portrayal of Essie was delightful and a great example of the play’s range of physical comedy. Her character’s childish pirouettes around the Sycamore household contrasted with the lackadaisical manner of her husband Ed, played by George MacDonald ’10, who has a natural talent for the stage.
Even the smaller roles showed great talent. Playing Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, Caroline Servat ’10 delivered her lines in a thick Russian accent, proving her versatility and powerful stage presence.
As Mr. DePinna, Masid Cader ’11 portrayed an iceman who spontaneously stays with the family, which contributed to the production’s absurdity and his booming fireworks added to the cacophony of chaos.
Using body language to emphasize his lines, Sam Schleipman ’12 delivered a genuine performance as a government agent who fails to intimidate Grandpa, played by Professor of Economics Michael Murray, in his drive for an anarchic utopia, amidst a family in which all are content with their own oddities and no one thwarts another’s dreams.
Assistant in Instruction of Psychology Brian Pfohl plays Mr. Kirby, an up-tight Wall Street banker who is ultimately charmed by Grandpa’s logic. Drew Gallagher ’11 provides a contrast to Pfohl’s character as Tony Kirby, Alice’s suitor who sets the action in motion by mistaking the dinner date while still saying all the right gentlemanly things.
This American comedy suits humors of all types and will not fail to impress.
erformances will be held this Friday, March 12th and Saturday, March 13th at 7:30 p.m and Sunday, March 14th at 2 p.m.
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