El Dorado County (Oct 20, 2024) –
El Dorado High School’s Theatre Department is kicking off its season with a timeless American classic, You Can’t Take It with You, running from November 7th through the 16th. This isn’t just any old high school play—Studio 81 has taken George S. Kaufman’s 1936 comedy and injected it with the energy and charm that have kept audiences coming back for nearly a century.
For those unfamiliar, the play revolves around the wildly eccentric Vanderhof family, led by the ever-charming Grandpa, who marches to the beat of his own drum. While most families might be content with board games or family dinners, the Vanderhofs are dabbling in fireworks, ballet, and snake collecting! Things get even more interesting when young Alice Vanderhof falls for Tony, the son of a buttoned-up Wall Street executive. Needless to say, the culture clash between the carefree Vanderhofs and Tony’s wealthy, uptight family sets the stage for both hilarious misunderstandings and deeper questions about what it really means to be happy.
Studio 81’s production promises to be a feast for the eyes, with a visually stunning set and lively performances sure to keep audiences in stitches. El Dorado High’s young actors are taking on the challenge of bringing this madcap comedy to life with a freshness that just might rival any professional production.
But here’s the real kicker—does this play still resonate with modern audiences? Kaufman’s critique of the American Dream, wrapped in humor and light-hearted chaos, feels eerily relevant today. As we navigate our own chaotic world of materialism, success, and happiness, can Grandpa’s simple wisdom hold the answers?
The curtain rises on You Can’t Take It with You on Nov. 7th at 7 p.m., with additional performances on Nov. 9th and 16th at 1 p.m. Evening shows run through Nov. 9th and 14th-16th at 7 p.m. Tickets are bound to sell fast, so be sure to grab yours!
Do you think Kaufman’s classic still has the same bite it did in 1936? Can eccentricity and joy really stand up to the weight of money and status in today’s world? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
