Deon Pollett (center), Laurel Wolcott (right) and Christy Himden star in the new Riverfront Playhouse comedy "You Can’t Take it With You." Photo by Rowan O’Connell-Barger.
There’s an optimism and confidence in Tess O’Connell’s voice that tells me that the Riverfront Playhouse is off to a great start with its new comedy, "You Can’t Take it With You."
The play opened last weekend at the theater (1620 E. Cypress Ave. in Redding), and continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 11.
O’Connell, a first-time director at Riverfront, said she lucked out to get "the most amazing cast in the world." It includes Riverfront veterans like Deon Pollett and Jet Thomas, recent arrivals like Wade Riggs and Laurel Wolcott, and a newcomer to the stage, Douglas Potts.
"They took their characters and added such wonderful nuances and subtleties," O’Connell said. "It really is like watching a real family up there."
Director Tess O’Connell
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart originally opened in 1936. O’Connell was familiar with (and adored) the 1938 film version, which starred Jimmy Stewart.
Though some might advise against it, O’Connell had her entire cast watch the film.
"They appreciated it, but they didn’t base their characters on it," she said.
The story focuses on the Sycamore family, "an insanely crazy family that does whatever it wants," O’Connell explains. "They kind of love life to the point of joyful weirdness."
Alice Sycamore (Wolcott) is the family’s level-headed member. She tends to bridge the gap between the Sycamores and the rest of the world, including Tony Kirby (Potts), the son of Wall Street royalty. One of the play’s comic devices is bringing the straightlaced Kirby family into the world of the Sycamores.
"I’ve seen it so many times and it still cracks me up every time I watch it," O’Connell said. "It’s hilarious."
Potts and Wolcott have such good chemistry together, O’Connell said it almost feels like it’s voyeuristic to watch them. In his first role at Riverfront, O’Connell said Potts is "doing an amazing job" and is a quintessentially perfect leading man.
Douglas Potts and Laurel Wolcott.
In addition to the cast, O’Connell said she believes opening weekend audiences were impressed with technical elements like costumes, sets, special effects and lighting and sound.
The Sycamore family’s basement blows up in the second act.
"We had some kids in the audience and they were impressed by that," O’Connell said.
Tickets for the family-friendly show (O’Connell rates it PG) are $15, available at Graphic Emporium (1525 Pine St.) in Redding. Call 241-4278 for reservations.
