Review - You Can't Take it With You

I have a handsome friend with whom I don't spend nearly enough time.  We saw Side Show together a few months ago and said we had to pick another show to see together - when discount offers crossed my desk for You Can't Take it With You, we had our choice.  I bought the tickets a while ago and last night was the happy night.

I've had pretty good luck this year with theater and last night was no exception.  I found You Can't Take it With You to be a delight from start to finish.  I spent the entire evening with a huge smile on my face and laughed out loud a number of times.  Just what a person needs when it's SO COLD OUTSIDE (and in my apartment, but that's a story for later).  We were seated in the second row of the mezzanine, just off to the right, and they were great seats to see all the machinations going in and out of that glorious set.

I read one review of the show that said they should give guided tours of the set during the two intermissions - they really should!  That set is fantastic!  Just chock-full of remarkably real-looking family mementos, odd antiques, books and little collectibles.  It was great.  The entire physical production was really good, with fine music by Jason Robert Brown, grand lighting and the fireworks special effects were amazing.  The whole piece just came together as a delightful whole.

James Earl Jones is Grandpa Vanderhof, a man who decided he didn't want to work anymore one day and hasn't worked in 35 years - his entire aim in life is to be happy, enjoy himself and live life to the fullest.  His performance is warm and grounding, with just the right about of twinkle and fun.  The rest of the family has taken up that idea of living; they're a group of quirky, lovable odd ducks who are completely happy with who they are and what they're doing.  They're also so completely loved by everyone in their family, it adds to their secure senses of self and self-worth.  It's really grand how all of the actors made these rather idiosyncratic people completely real and honest and touching.  The cast seems to be having an absolute ball with each other and it carries over into their character work, too.  It also carries over into the audience.

photo credit: Joan Marcus

All of the actors were terrific - Annaleigh Ashford is stupendous as Essie, who dreams of being a ballerina and just dances her way through life.  Her interpretive dances to the xylophone stylings by her husband, Ed, are just inspired.  Reg Rogers, who is always one of my especial favorites, is a riot as Essie's Russian dance instructor.  I really loved Kristine Nielson as Penny and Richard Thomas as her husband, Paul.  They had a warm, believable relationship and you could feel their love for their children and for everyone around them.  There was a serious amount of love happening.  Special mention to Julie Halston, queen of the scene stealing, who did so once again.  My handsome friend got nearly uncontrollable giggles at Julie's drunken attempt to stagger up the stairs - it was hysterical.  But, really, everything was so funny, yet so touching.  I just had a great time.  The show is beautifully directed and very lovingly produced in all facets.  It closes in a couple of weeks, so you should really go.  There were some empty seats up in the mezzanine last night, so tickets are there to be had.  If you want to feel some warmth and joy during this chilly winter, You Can't Take it With You is just the thing.