Customer Reviews

You Can't Take it With You.

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"You Can't Take It with You," by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, can be quickly described as a comedy about a madcap family. It is, however, beneath its very funny surface, a meditation on the problems of individuality, conformity, and the ways in which one decides to live one's life.

The plot concerns the Vanderhof clan, an extended family who all live in a large house situated somewhere near Columbia University. The house is owned by Grandpa Vanderhof, a man who left his life in commerce some years before and now spends his time collecting snakes, throwing darts, and attending college commencements. His daughter, Penny, writes plays on a typewriter which had been delivered to their home by mistake. Penny's husband is named Paul. Paul manufactures fireworks in the base ment with the help of Mr. DiPinna, a gentlemen who came to deliver something and has stayed on for seven years. Paul and Penny have found time to produce two daughters: Essie, who dances ballet to the xylophone accompaniment of her husband, Ed, and Alice, the sole "normal" member of the family.

Alice has become involved with the boss's son, and most of the plot revolves around the complications that arise from the son (Tony) bringing his parents to dinner at the Vanderhofs' one night before the dinner was actually scheduled.

The plot, however, is only a small part of what makes this comedy (which ran for more than 800 performances on Broadway in a time when 200 performances was considered a hit) an endlessly fascinating, always enjoyable event.

The characters are rich, often loopy, and even eminently sensible. Grandpa Vanderhof is a sage, and lines of his run through my head almost daily as little pieces of wisdom with which I make my way through life. "Life is kind of beautiful," he says, "if you just let it come to you." This, in many ways, sums up the theme.

It's a play that reads well. From the opening description through to the final line of dialogue it is entertainment, pure and simple. The first act is extraordinary, a mixing of exposition and farce which has rarely, if ever, been equalled. The play as a whole is human, humane, and witty, and wise. It has an almost Taoist quality and a peace at its core which I feel makes it unique. It is a great play which should be seen, read, and experienced at every available opportunity. On top of all this (to quote Woody Allen), it makes me laugh.

From this wacky family with pet snakes, fireworks, playwrites, and dancers: you learn to expect anything that doesn't make sence, but what you don't expect is them to make sence! That is exactally what happens. When Alice, daugher of Paul and Penny, tells them of the young man that is calling for her, they instantly accept him into the family. His family, however, is not so accepting.
My high school has just started preparing for our performance of this wonderful play. We have all fallen in love with the script and are eager to perform. This is a wonderful choice for any theater program, I am sure that anyone can find it entertaining!

As an actor in high school, I played the character of Mr. DePinna, and it was the best theater experience I've ever had. The play has enough mature themes to be taken seriously (unlike many other family life plays of the period), but it is also humorous enough to let the cast enjoy acting in it.

A "screwball" comedy that is very well written and superbly crafted, a wonderful theater ensemble piece with action and interesting stage business pretty much constantly going on in every scene. It just percolates with fun from start to finish. It has wonderfully endearing characters and is very indicative of the 1930's America concerns and values. It informs the audience about those times, while teaching a wonderful message of tolerance and the benefits of diversity and individualism. The character of Grandpa espouses a philosophy that is both timely and timeless, and that would benefit all people at all times, if they would just adopt it as a way to live. It is simply to relax and enjoy life. Quit striving for the seemingly important, but actually unimportant things like money, position, unrewarding work for other people. Give up the prejudices and conventional negative assumptions about other people that actually make us unhappy. It seems odd, but is instructive to audiences of today, to know that the play was controversial when written and first produced.

This play is amazing, crazy and oh so funny. It's fun to read and even better to watch!

You cannot buy this in bookstores-it is nice to be able to get it from Amazon. If you want to read this play for any reason this is where you have to buy it.

Reading "You Can't Take It With You" brought back so many memories. This play is full of fireworks, plays, kittens, and everything that comes together to create entertaining chaos! This play can be enjoyed by all ages. High School theatre teachers will smile as their students take pride in portraying characters like Penny, Mr. De Pinna and Essie! This story will stay in your mind as a warm memory.

Great Play-comedy. Excellent example of incongruity and shows us the realities of life, the lack of the common touch. Well written. Encourage everybody to read it. Will make you laugh.

When I first read this play I absolutely loved it. When our school did the production I played the part of Edward Carmichael. It was one of the greatest experiences for me. I loved doing the show, it was soo much fun. To me the show was about a very loving family who has to overcome obstacles. I would love to do the show again.

"I laughed, I cried, I made it part of myself." I have no idea who to attribute that quote to, but I do know that it can be applied directly to this comic masterpiece.

It is a play about following your bliss and being true to yourself. It is about setting your priorities straight. But instead of being didactic, it is hysterically funny.

Laugh, cry, make it a part of yourself.