You Can't Take It With You So Enjoy It Now!

The meaning behind the phrase ‘you can’t take it with you’ is related to your earthly items, belongings, just about anything really, and the idea that you can’t take it with you to whatever comes next, or after you pass away. However, this phrase is most often used to discuss money. And, in the play “You Can’t Take It With You,” the Vanderhof/Sycamore family has embraced this concept. Whether it means taking lessons for years even if you never improve, spending a great deal on a large or expensive hobby, starting projects that you may or may not finish, or just trying out whatever sounds fun on a given day, the people who live in the Vanderhof house are unafraid to live their lives. However, because of the way they see life and the way they live it, many others find them rather odd. In celebration of the ‘odd’ members of the family, we reached out to the cast of “You Can’t Take It With You,” to see if they have any of the same interests as their characters or if they have any ‘odd’ members of the family themselves.

We started with Rebekah Petersen, who is playing Essie Sycamore. Rebekah herself has been studying dance for years, just like Essie! “I am super excited to play someone very much like me,” Rebekah said. “The challenge is that Essie is not the most graceful dancer, but loves it all the same,” which is where Rebekah and Essie differ, as Rebekah even does choreography in the area along with her sister. That being said, she believes there is an important lesson to learn from Essie: “Don’t take life too seriously, and don’t be afraid to explore your passions, even if you aren’t great at them.”

Someone who knows a bit about exploring his passions is Chris Elston. Chris is returning to the stage after a 13-year break, though he was never far from the theatre as he wrote theatre reviews and shared them on his blog. However, the character that Chris is playing, Mr. Wilbur C Henderson, is quite different from him. “I see Henderson as a stick in the mud who enjoys fiddling with his paper clip collection and doing the same thing day after day,” Chris says. “I am a bit more adventurous and prefer to shake things up a bit!” Chris believes that this show is about doing what makes you happy. And that happiness isn’t defined by wealth or things. There is one thing that Chris and Mr. Henderson have in common: efficiency. “But his efficiency and humdrum existence are completely thrown off balance by the oddities of the Sycamores.”

Speaking of the Sycamores, Deanna Walz is playing Penelope Sycamore (aka Penny), a character who has many hobbies, interests, and passions, and likes it that way. “I too have too many hobbies,” Deanna says, when discussing the similarities between herself and Penny. “Acting, knitting, pottery, writing, candle making… I love learning new things and engaging my creativity. I had a coworker once who gave me the best advice: Just have some frickin’ fun with it! Make your own fun, approach things with a little levity, and enjoy things as much as possible. Life has enough challenges, why not create something unique and innovative that others can enjoy?”

Alexandra Geditz often makes things that others can enjoy. We discussed how she is similar to her character, The Grand Duchess Olga Katerina. Alexandra says, “We both love to cook! But also, Olga is a strong lady. She keeps a stiff upper lip and is proud of her achievements despite her fall in social status. I want to think I have some of that resilience.” When asked about the ‘oddballs’ in her family, Alexandra was spoiled for choice. “Where do I start?!” she said. “We have all kinds in our family.” And, from what I hear tell, they go back generations!

Interesting hobbies spanning generations are nothing new to Colton Knott, who plays Donald. “My dad is a lot like some of the men in this show,” he says. “He spends most of his time in the cellar/basement, but instead of crafting rockets like they do in this show, he is working on a model Christmas village and train set, which fills up most of the room!” Colton agrees that if your family feels crazy and dysfunctional, this play is for you! “However,” he adds, “this show is a reminder of the unconditional love we all hold for our families, quirks and all!” Oh, and as for Colton’s similarities to his character Donald? “We have a big sweet tooth!”

One of the more serious roles in the play is that of Mr. Kirby, who will be played by Mark W. Reid. “Kirby is an archconservative with an extreme way of looking at the world,” Mark says. “While I have been blessed with some of Kirby’s success in my life, unlike him, I learned long ago to enjoy the life I have, with my family, friends, and the theatre community.” Mark also knows a little bit about having some ‘odd family members. “I have screwball aunts, an overbearing father, and children who are constantly surprising me. I wouldn’t change much as they have all made me the ‘original’ that I am.” Mark also shared a few things with us that he felt were thrilling about the theatre: “On stage, you, the audience, can experience aspects of life that challenge you, make you laugh, make you look in the mirror a little longer, and break your heart. Theatre is an essential part of living and has been since ancient philosophers walked the earth; it is now more important than ever. Please visit all of the community theatres in your area as often as you can!”

The patriarch of the family, Martin Vanderhof (Penny’s father, and Grandfather to Essie), is being played by Ken Snyder. It is this man who started the whole business of doing what you love, exploring your passions, and living life to the fullest. Martin, better known as Grandpa, has interests in stamp collecting and watching the graduation ceremonies of the nearby college, Columbia University. Ken says that he and Grandpa have many of the same interests. But as for ‘odd’ family members? “No. I’m pretty much the only one in my family who is odd! But it is great to be back at the Lofte!”

Another man who considers himself the ‘odd’ one of the family is Randy Wallace, who is playing Paul Sycamore (husband to Penny, and father to Essie). As a kid, Randy enjoyed building plastic models “I recall learning about basic engineering construction while having lots of fun on rainy days. I had hundreds of models, cars, ships, planes, and more. And, as a child of the 60s, I was fascinated with the space race, so I designed, built, and even flew several model rockets, which is quite similar to Paul’s obsession with fireworks!” However, he thinks the reason that this play resonates with so many people and has endured as a classic is that we all have eccentric family members. “I am not ashamed of being the odd one in the least.” Randy adds, “this play demonstrates love and acceptance to a degree that is rare at our current moment in time. Differences can be enjoyed, and even celebrated, rather than being used to divide and judge; it’s an essential part of a successful family, and a successful society.”

And finally, one person who believes that, out of all of his family, he would be the one most at home with the Sycamore family is Bill Bossman, playing Mr. De Pinna. Mr. De Pinna is obsessed with fireworks; however, Bill cannot stand them. “The combination of the blinding light, the heat, the smoke, the dust, the noise, and fear… I was once forced to assist with a fireworks display, and all of that has traumatized me for life.” Most of all, Bill wants to remind people to cherish the time they have on earth and included this Bible verse: I Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Why spend so much time on something if you haven’t improved? Why spend so much money on something that may not have much value? Why start something if you’ll never finish it? Why waste time doing something once for short gratification instead of investing that time into something worthwhile in the long run? Sometimes these are the questions we ask ourselves about our hobbies, pastimes, or things we enjoy doing. And yet, the characters in this play do them all with reckless abandon, and we think them odd. Maybe because they don’t seem to have the fear, they don’t seem to be asking themselves these questions; they just do what they enjoy. And they all love one another. They understand that life is meant to be lived, enjoyed, and savored. And love is the thing that matters in the end. Everything else? Well, you can’t take it with you.

Tickets to “You Can’t Take It With You,” are available at lofte.org/tickets or by calling the box office at 402-234-2553. Performances are March 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, & 29. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.