You Can’t Take it With You

“You Can’t Take It With You” is a comedic play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman that centers around the eccentric Sycamore family, whose unconventional ways stand in stark contrast to the more conservative values of the outside world. The household is a vibrant mix of oddball characters pursuing their individual passions: the patriarch, Grandpa Vanderhof, spends his time collecting snakes and attending commencement ceremonies; Penny Sycamore, the matriarch, writes unproduced plays and paints; her husband, Paul, constructs fireworks in the basement with the help of Mr. DePinna, a former ice delivery man. Their daughter, Essie, aspires to be a ballerina despite her lack of talent, and her husband, Ed, plays the xylophone and prints random phrases. Amidst this chaos, their other daughter, Alice, appears to be the only “normal” one, working a regular office job and dating Tony Kirby, the son of her wealthy and conservative boss.

The plot thickens when Tony proposes to Alice, leading to a clash between the free-spirited Sycamores and the uptight Kirbys. The families are scheduled to meet, but a mix-up results in the Kirbys arriving on the wrong night, exposing them to the full extent of the Sycamores’ eccentricities. The ensuing interactions highlight the absurdity of social pretensions and the value of individual happiness over societal expectations. As tensions rise and comedic mishaps unfold, both families are forced to reconsider their views on life and what truly matters. Ultimately, the play champions the idea that personal fulfillment and living life on one’s own terms are far more important than wealth and societal approval.