Review: Texas Rep’s You Can’t Take it With You

Posted on May 17th, 2008 by Nancy Wozny - ArtsHouston Magazine

The Texas Rep’s production of You Can’t Take It With You puts the “nut” in chestnut. Kaufmann and Hart’s classic Pulitzer-Prize winning play, still a mainstay of high school theater programs and summer stock, has held on to its old warhorse status well considering the play’s 80 year-old history.

The story involves a family of charming eccentrics headed up by the kingpin nut Grandpa Sycamore. The wackadoodles come out of their closet when granddaughter Alice needs them to clean up and fly normal for her dreamy straitlaced boyfriend and his upper crust Wall Street loving family. The Rep got off to a sluggish start but thankfully sailed into their stride by the second act, when the trouble reaches a fever pitch. Once the pace perks up, director Craig Miller let’s the mayhem run hog wild.

Beth Hopp & Marylin Ocker in You Can't Take it With You

The cast handles the zaniness—fireworks and all—with ample gusto. The production’s strength lies in its solid ensemble chemistry. Jim Salners is suitably crusty as Grandma, the guy that just won’t pay income tax and cannot miss a commencement ceremony. Other standouts include Kay Allmand and Justin O’Brien as the lovebirds Alice and Tony. Steven Fenley is a hoot as Kolenkohf, the paranoid Russian ballet teacher. Meghan Hakes’ set design is simply stunning.

Sitcoms were largely modeled after this screwball antics in this play. Although the sitcom is presently on its deathbed, Kaufmann and Hart’s work lives on. The play’s message—relax, do what you love, and let life come to you—feels as fresh as ever. The thought of living in Brooklyn on $3,000 a year, well that’s fun too.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 September 2008 )

W ; T

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 June 2008 )

A Christmas Story

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The 2007 Production of A Christmas Story

Fantastic ‘Story’ told on Tex Rep stage

By Brandon De Hoyos Staff Writer- 1960 Sun

Offering perhaps one of the most delightful shows on the Texas Repertory Theatre Co. stage yet, “A Christmas Story” has never been as colorful nor as funny as it appears on the live stage.

Narrated by actor and associate artistic director Steve Fenley, the play follows the classic story of Ralphie Parker in his quest for a “Red Ryder 200-shot carbine action range model air rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right in the stock!”

Zach Tavlin (Ralphie) gives an incredibly wonderful performance, bringing to life the character in a whole new way for audiences while Mark Laskowski, Kristin Lindner and Cameron Cade Dunham breathe life into the roles of the family who surround Ralphie in this tale.

Likewise, Fenley delivers another strong showing on the Texas Rep stage as one of the most talented in the theatre’s resident company.

An expertly designed set by Ryan Schabach in his first stint as a scenic designer at the theater, and wonderful lighting and sound help bring this story to life; especially noted are Ralphie’s dream sequences, which are mesmerizing (i.e. the scene where he rescues his parents.)

Through their re-telling of this classic movie favorite, the Texas Repertory Theatre Co. has proven once again that great theater is available in our own backyard — a true gift to the community this holiday season.

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For more information on the theater, including its mini season ticket packages specially priced for the holiday season, visit the Web site at www.texreptheatre.org or call the box office at (281) 583-7573.

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The Texas Repertory Theatre Co. is located at

14243 Stuebner Airline Road

at FM 1960 West.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 September 2008 )

Illyria Review

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