By Katie Scarvey
kscarvey@salisburypost.com
Every year about this time we look forward to a screwball comedy from Piedmont Players Theatre. This year, it’s “You Can’t Take it With You,” opening July 26.
Dr. Jim Epperson, a retired Catawba College theatre arts professor, is back for his second PPT directing gig, and he’s happy to be stepping back in to the directorial role.
“Back when I was doing research for the history of theatre in Salisbury, I never knew I’d actually get to direct here,” Epperson says. The first PPT show he directed was “Moonlight and Magnolias” several years ago.
You Can’t Take it With You” — about a nutty family with one seemingly normal daughter — is one of the great American comedies of the 20th century, says PPT director Reid Leonard.
“I’m convinced the TV show ‘The Munsters’ came from this show,” Leonard says, adding that the show features a big cast with a lot of great characters.
Written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, the play is about the Sycamore family, who are pretty seriously wacky. Grandpa doesn’t believe in paying income tax, and fireworks are being manufactured in the basement. So perhaps the Sycamores are kind of crazy — but maybe not any crazier than the rest of the world.
Then there are the unhappy Kirbys. Attractive young Tony Kirby falls in love with Sycamore daughter Alice. His parents show up for dinner on the wrong evening, and the Sycamores are not making a good impression.
Will love win out?
Well, this is a comedy, after all.
Produced by the Rowan County Tourism Development Authority, “You Can’t Take it With You” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 26-28 and at 2:30 p.m. July 29.[0x0b]
The run continues Aug. 1-4 at 7:30 p.m., with tickets Wednesday Aug. 1— Value Night — for only $10.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
The box office opens July 23. Tickets may be purchased by calling 704-633-5471 or by visiting the box office in person at 213 S. Main St.