Photo Flash: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU At Players' Barn Theater in Farmington Hills

By: Jan. 29, 2010
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It is love American style when two people fall for each other and their mismatched families finally meet. The Farmington Players will open Valentine's Day weekend with, "You Can't Take It with You," a screwball comedy that has been stealing hearts since it debuted on Broadway in 1936.

The play runs February 12 to March 6 at The Players' Barn Theater in Farmington Hills. It is sponsored by Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. - Holistic Estate & Eldercare Planning Attorneys in Farmington Hills.

The classic by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937. The story follows the carefree Sycamores as they cross paths with the uptight Kirbys in a comedic clash of classes and lifestyles.

Alice Sycamore is the only normal one in the family of free spirits that includes an eccentric mom, a wacky dad,

who cooks up homemade explosives in the basement, and a wacky snake-collecting grandpa.
The secretary Alice, is in love with her boss's son, Tony. However she fears her strange family won't pass muster with Tony's stuffy, Wall Street father and snobbish socialite mother.

When the play premiered, the New York Times called it, "tickling fun." Director Emily McSweeney of Farmington Hills says, "The subject matter is as timely now as when it was written." McSweeney stage directed when The Farmington Players first performed, "You Can't Take It With You," in 1985. Some of the original cast members have returned for the 2010 version. McSweeney's husband Bob is reprising his role as the offbeat Grandpa, who tells the tax collector he doesn't believe in taxes. This time Bob McSweeney is the perfect age. Brian Tupper of Farmington Hills now plays the IRS Agent. Last time he portrayed Ed Carmichael, the amateur printer, who prints anything that sounds good to him. Also, Tupper's wife Cynthia, who produced the show 25 years ago, will portray the Grand Duchess of Russia, now working as a waitress.

This tale of two families from both sides of the tracks takes audiences on a delightful journey loaded with laughable high jinks. Along the way the show demonstrates how goodness and love can prosper if people are bold and brave enough to be themselves.

Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets are available today at farmingtonplayers.org or at the box office (248) 553-2955.

Adults: $15, Senior discount: $2 off - Sunday, Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Only

Group Discounts: $2 off any performance: Must Have 10 or more people.

Students: $2 off

Thrifty Thursdays: $2 off - February 25, March 4

Show Dates and Times
February

Friday 12th - (8pm), Saturday 13th - (8pm), Sunday 14th (2pm)

Friday 19th - (8pm), Saturday 20th - (8pm), Sunday 21th (2pm)

Thursday 25th - (8pm), Friday 26th - (8pm), Saturday 27th - (8pm),

Sunday 28th - (2pm)

March

Thursday 4th - (8pm), Friday 5th - (8pm), Saturday 6th - (8pm)

Opening Night

The Barn will kick off Opening Night February 12, with a special event known as "Aftershow, Afterglow." In honor of Valentine's day, one lucky patron will win a sinfully rich box of chocolate (on this night only) as a second prize in the 50-50 raffle. Following the show, audience members will have a chance to toast the performance with a selection of tasty treats and sparkling juice.

About The Barn

The Farmington Players began as an off-shoot of the American Association of University Women. Their first production, The Torchbearers, was performed at a local church. Later in the 1950s, after performing in various city and educational locations, The Farmington Players moved into an old dairy barn located on the site of their present facility on West Twelve Mile Road.

Initially, productions were staged downstairs on a dirt floor. Over the years, improvements to the original Barn transformed it into a more finished space, with the theater itself eventually moving upstairs into a traditional and finished setting.

Since 1953, The Farmington Players have staged more than 180 different musicals, dramas, mysteries and comedies, all as a community theater with 100% volunteer membership.
People from Farmington, Farmington Hills and beyond have come to recognize the group as a true community resource. Since the completion of its all-new, state of the art facility in 2003, The Farmington Players Barn Theater has expanded its mission, serving as the site for city-sponsored events such as youth theater camps in the summer, concerts with groups as varied as Blackthorn and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and as a meeting place for various groups.

The Farmington Players have been saving money over the years to enhance the onstage experience at The Barn. In November, 2009 they installed a new rigging system in the vast fly space. Show Directors are thrilled to finally have the ability to fly in flats and use drops to set scenes in a matter of seconds.
Location

The Farmington Players Barn is located at: 32332 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills.

(North side of 12 Mile Road Halfway between Orchard Lake and Farmington).

 

Photo Flash: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU At Players' Barn Theater in Farmington Hills

Photo Flash: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU At Players' Barn Theater in Farmington Hills
Joseph Munem, Phil Hadley, Jim Moll

Photo Flash: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU At Players' Barn Theater in Farmington Hills
Joseph Munem, Laurel Stroud, Jim Moll, Mary Ann Tweedie, Katie Aumann, Bob McSweeney

Photo Flash: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU At Players' Barn Theater in Farmington Hills



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