This Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm., Solomon High School invites the entire community to a free performance of the timeless comedy You Can’t Take It with You, a lively play that explores the meaning of family, individuality, and happiness. Directed by the high school teachers John Luce and Kelly Glanville, the production promises to be both heartwarming and hilarious, as students bring the story’s quirky characters to life.
The play, originally written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, follows the lives of the eccentric Sycamore family as they meet the wealthy and traditional Kirbys, resulting in many comedic clashes. “It’s set in the late 1930s and is centered around the two families. Young Tony Kirby, meets Alice Sycamore, who is what we would consider the most ‘normal’ of the Sycamore family. Tony and Alice fall in love, and the comedy ensues when their families meet,” Glanville said. Without wanting to spoil the most laughable parts of the play, she added, “They all do whatever flights their fancies,” describing the Sycamore family’s quirky personalities and unusual jobs. Luce added, “They decide that ‘you can’t take it with you,’ so they live life to the fullest and enjoy what they do.”
Although Solomon High School doesn’t have a dedicated theater department year-round, the school is proud to offer a range of creative opportunities, including forensics as both a class and competitive club, and theater classes when possible. Luce, the PK-12 music teacher, and Glanville, who teaches high school theater and sponsors the forensics program, teamed up to make this year’s play a reality. When asked why he chose to collaborate with Glanville to bring a play to life, Luce shared, “I just know the importance of giving kids a voice in whatever way they need—other than sports, or even music. For some students, those activities don’t interest them, so this is their way to find their voice in our school. It’s been exciting to see them work hard, not only at the play but also working hard and staying committed to their grades to be eligible to participate.” Solomon Schools aims to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to engage and succeed.
Senior student and cast member Jase Wendlandt echoed this sentiment, reflecting on how the play has allowed everyone to shine in new ways. “Something that I am the most proud of is how much work and dedication a lot of us have put into this. Everyone has put in a lot of work and it’s great to see everyone really come out of their shells and play these characters who you would never think would think that they would be playing.”
With the hard work and enthusiasm that students and teachers have poured into every part of the production, You Can’t Take It with You promises to deliver an evening filled with laughter, memorable characters, and a reminder of what truly matters in life. Wendlandt added why he believes the community should come out and see the show, stating, “It’s going to be a great time, it's going to be a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. We would love to have you all there.” It’s a special opportunity for the community to come together, share in the fun, and appreciate the talents of Solomon High School’s young performers.