Review: Mad Cow's YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU is a Delightfully Bonkers Classic

In the American theatrical cannon, there is perhaps no play more beloved than George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. The cherished comedy has been one of the most enduring works on American stages since its debut in 1937, and Church Street's Mad Cow Theatre Company has brought a charming production to Orlando through October 25th. Directed by David Russell, the original madcap family comedy still carries as many life lessons as it did nearly 80 years ago, all the while providing a laugh a minute. While there is a layer of subtext seemingly missing from this production, it is nonetheless thrilling to see such an incredibly talented cast dive head first into these delightfully bonkers characters.

The familiar story finds Alice Sycamore (the wonderful Sarah French) in love with Tony Kirby (Robert Johnston), her boss' son, but afraid to bring him, or his stuffy parents, around her perfectly unconventional family. Years ago, Grandpa (Ron Schneider) decided that the life of a businessman was too far restrictive and abruptly quit. Ever since, his family has followed suit, doing only the things that make them happy; playing xylophone, writing plays because a typewriter was mistakenly delivered, taking ballet lessons, raising snakes, eating Corn Flakes for dinner.

Despite her familial apprehension, Alice agrees to marry Tony, which can only happen after his parents (the hysterical Bobbie Bell and Lucy Carney) meet her family. Despite Alice's carefully laid out plans, the Kirbys arrive a night early to find the Sycamore family in all of their wacky glory.

In addition to being one of the most-well written comedies of the modern era, one reason that the play has stood the test of time is that its lessons feel as significant now as they did when it was first performed. As our culture continues to shift, and what was once considered taboo is increasingly accepted, the individuality that the Sycamores celebrate is now often held up as the ideal, rather than as something to hide when company comes around. Mad Cow's uniformly terrific cast of 18 is as entertaining as they are inspiring.

While his character is the most level-headed of them all, Johnston was a surprising stand-out in the cast, because Tony is so often overlooked amongst the family's bedlam. In this case however, Johnston imbues him with one decidedly Sycamore quality; his Tony is a strong, passionate young man, willing to do whatever it takes to be happy. And, how could he not be happy alongside French's Alice? She beams with the joy of a young woman in love, and that joy makes you fall in love with her from the first instant she steps on stage.

However, in all of Alice's giddiness, the things that make her different than the rest of her family are overlooked; the fact that she is the only member of the clan with a traditional job, or perhaps more importantly, that she is the only one who cares about what other people think. These differences are essential to the plot, without them, her hesitance to introduce the Kirbys to her family doesn't make sense. While Alice is the youngest member of the family, she needs to have a maturity that sets her a bit apart from the rest of her amiably ambivalent family. Unfortunately, that's lacking here.

Similarly, Schneider's Grandpa feels more like someone caught up in having fun than someone who has made an important life-choice. As a result, his advice, as solid as it is, comes off as naiveté instead of wisdom. Robin Proett Olson plays Alice's mother Penny, an entertaining chip off the old cuckoo clock.

Ame Livingston is Essie, Alice's candy-making, ballet-dancing sister. Always the most childish character in the show, Livingston finds new ways to get the audience laughing. Her teacher Boris Kolenkhov, played Toby S. Pruett, is hilarious as part of the Sycamores' extended family.

Bell and Carney are fantastic in their limited stage time, and Charlie Wright adds to the zany vibe as Essie's husband Ed. Thom Mesrobian and Terry Olson are fun as Alice's father Paul and their live-in fireworks specialist Mr. De Pinna.

As charming as Sheryl Carbonnell and Michael Sapp are as the Sycamore's African-American maid Rheba and her boyfriend Donald, their characters are the one part of the show that feels dated; trading on stereotypes that most of modern society has moved beyond.

The danger with YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU is playing the Sycamores as simpletons rather than as eccentrics who have consciously chosen to live their lives free of unnecessary restraints or responsibilities. In seeing the family as nothing more than frivolous, it robs the story of its message that the first duty we have to ourselves, and to those around us, is to be happy. Without the family's deliberate decision, their lifestyle is just silliness for silliness' sake, and carries no valuable meaning. While Russell's cast is wonderfully silly, a group that I would gladly watch many times over, I missed the knowing wink of a group of people willfully living outside the box.

That being typed, Russell does a magnificent job coordinating all of the chaos, while still keeping the audience's attention focused on the most important things going on. Also, William Elliott's scenic design makes you feel like you are in the family's home.

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU is a show that I see every time I have the opportunity. It is nearly impossible to see it and not leave the theater smiling and encouraged to follow your own passion, no matter how bizarre. The show is also a great way to introduce young people to the joys of live theatre. To purchase your tickets to this wonderfully staged classic you can get tickets on Mad Cow's website or by calling 407-297-8788.

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Photo Credit:
1) Sarah French and Robert Johnston: Tom Hurst | Mad Cow Theatre
2) Ron Schneider: Tom Hurst | Mad Cow Theatre
3) Ame Livingston: Tom Hurst | Mad Cow Theatre

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