INFO

It’s important to note that the central family in You Can’t Take It With You IS NOT INSANE but rather eccentric. They do not have hobbies, they have passions. The comedy in YCTIWY stems from their sincerity of spirit and not from baseless frivolity. If you can find the truth behind each of these characters, then you can capture the true essence of this play. In other words, don’t worry about trying to be funny. Trust in the material and trust in yourselves.

If you’re looking for a style to this comedy, look no further than contemporary sitcoms. (Modern Family, New Girl, 30 Rock, etc…) The bones of Kaufman and Hart can be seen in all of them. While the characters and situations might be absurdly outlandish, the material only sings when there is honesty in the performance.

PENELOPE SYCAMORE

The daughter of Martin Vanderhof, mother of Essie and Alice, and wife of Paul, Penelope is the fluttery, gentle lady of the house. She decided to become a playwright when a typewriter was delivered to their house by mistake. Since that time this accidental playwright has spent much of her time writing works with titles such as Poison Gas.

ESSIE

The daughter of Penelope and Paul, granddaughter of Martin Vanderhof, and wife of Ed, Essie is a pixie in toeshoes. At the age of twenty-nine, she wants to be a dancer in the worst way–and, according to any unbiased observer, that is exactly what she is. The eternal student, she takes lessons from Boris Kolenkhov and is constantly dancing across the living room. She isn’t necessarily the world’s greatest dancer, but her earnest makes up for anydeficiencies.

RHEBA

The maid in the Vanderhof household, she probably understands this unusual family better than anyone. Rheba is in constant motion, and the family would probably fall apart without her.

PAUL SYCAMORE

The husband of Penelope and father of Essie, Paul Sycamore still exudes a kind of youthful air. His quiet charm and mild manner are distinctly engaging. However, under that unassuming exterior lies a man who lives for his fireworks–the ones he manufactures in the cellar.

MR. DE PINNA

Years ago Mr. De Pinna was delivering ice to the Vanderhof home–and just decided to stay. Now the mad genius of pyrotechnics helps out Paul in the cellar.

ED

The husband of Essie, Ed is a nondescript young man in his mid-thirties. However, he has two passions: the printing press and the xylophone. MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

DONALD

Rheba’s boyfriend, Donald spends a lot of comfortable time at the Vanderhof home. Athletic and constantly dashing around the home.

MARTIN VANDERHOF

The patriarchal head of the family, a man whom the years have treated kindly. He is a man who made his peace with the world long, long ago, and his whole attitude and manner are quietly persuasive of this. He does, however, have a long-standing “disagreement” with the Internal Revenue Service.

ALICE

The daughter of Penelope and Paul and sister of Essie, Alice is a lovely, fresh young girl. Because she is a secretary in a Wall Street office, she is in daily contact with the world and seems to have escaped the prevailing quirks that pervade the rest of the family; however, her familial devotion and love are readily apparent. In the course of the play she is engaged to marry Tony Kirby, her boss’s son.

TONY KIRBY

The boyfriend and later fiancé of Alice, Tony Kirby is a personable young man not long out of Yale and Cambridge. Although he fits all the physical requirements of a boss’s son, his face (and his spirit) has something of the idealist in it, invoking in him a certain fondness for the Vanderhofs’ quirkiness.

BORIS KOLENKHOV

Essie’s dance teacher, Boris Kolenkhov is a hearty, explosive, Russian ballet-master. THICK RUSSIAN ACCENT.

MR. KIRBY

Tony’s father and Alice’s boss in the Wall Street office, Mr. Kirby is a successful businessman who wants his son to follow in his footsteps; thus, he is very disapproving of the Vanderhof family and of his son’s engagement to Alice.

MRS. KIRBY

Tony’s mother, Mrs. Kirby is of the same mind and temperament as her husband. Very straight-laced, but stricken with a prevailing sadness.

GAY WELLINGTON

An “actress” employed by Penny Sycamore to read her latest play. She plays a comedic drunk who passes out at the sight of snakes.

THE DUCHESS

The cousin of the now deposed Russian Czar. She has been forced to take a job waiting tables in the states. She is a distinguished dinner guest of the family. THICK RUSSIAN ACCENT. 

AUDITION INFO

YCTIWY is an American Classic. I encourage all of you to read it before your auditions. Or more directly, do not be lazy- read the play. Please prepare a comedic monologue. Those interested in auditioning for Essie, please prepare a 5-10 second “ballet inspired silly dance.” Sides will be provided for callback auditions.