You Can't Take It With You Reviews
Chicago Tribune- Somewhat Recommended
"..."You Can't Take It With You" (not to be confused, as is often the case, with either "The Man Who Came to Dinner" or "Once in a Lifetime") was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1937. That's no mean feat for a screwball comedy. Ever since, the play been a staple of high school and college theater, although its popularity is surely on the wane. But Northlight has put together a cast stocked with Chicago names: Hollis Resnik, John Judd, Brad Armacost, Patrick Clear, Penny Slusher and Sean Fortunato. It's quite a crew, and I mean no insult in the omission of many other names in the program. There are enough Sycamores and hangers-on to challenge any nonprofit theater's budget."
Chicago Sun Times- Somewhat Recommended
"...The play is now receiving a revival by Northlight Theatre featuring a large (17-person), A-list cast under the direction of Devon De Mayo. And to be sure, some of its lines about taxes, government benefits, politics, social class and more can be funny and timely. But the zaniness of it all tends to wear thin pretty quickly. And despite the genuine heart at the core of this play, it feels more dated than beguiling."
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...Despite dated jokes and a setup that would be far less charming were it set in the present (a charming tax cheat!), this 1936 Kaufman and Hart comedy endures. But even if it's nostalgia that helps keep the play alive, this Northlight Theatre revival is a surprisingly fresh production,"
Windy City Times- Somewhat Recommended
"...You Can't Take It with You—a warm-hearted play which once was ubiquitous via countless community theater, college and high school productions—won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. I suspect millennials are far less familiar with it, even though it concerns the 99 percent, and I'm not certain this Northlight production gives the play its full value, as sincere as it is."
Time Out Chicago- Recommended
"...The finest moments in the play come from its collection of quirky characters. Joanne Dubach’s Essie prances around the stage with a delightful doe-eyed wonderment. Sean Fortunato’s on point(e) dance instructor Kolenkhov expresses a genuine warmth for the whole Sycamore clan beneath his gruff Russian candor. John Judd gives a stellar performance as the family patriarch; his tender defense of pursuing a life of passion over one of wealth certainly rings true for the Chicago theatre community."
ChicagoCritic- Recommended
"...With its message of "live in the now-and enjoy life by doing what makes you happy," this play is a tribute to all eccentrics. You can't Take It With You is so full of sweet nonsense and upbeat humor that it will make you forget your troubles for a couple of hours leaving you with a big grin. That-you can take with you!"
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...I love the oldies! I must say that today, I had one of my most enjoyable trips to the theater on a Saturday afternoon. The place- Northlight theatre in Skokie! The play- none other than "You Can't Take It With You", the Moss Hart/George S. Kaufman tale that allows us to take a look at how a dysfunctional family, can be, in fact, the family that we yearn to be a part of. How many of us wish we could tell the IRS to take a flying leap? How many of us would love to tell our boss "Take this job and shove it!" and then never work again? How many of us want to write a play? Paint a picture that history will claim changed the world? This is just a part of what this play is all about."
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
"...An alternative to the usual holiday fare, Northlight Theatre’s wonderful production provides everything but the Christmas tree or Menorah. This play reminds audiences of what the holidays are meant to be all about: family, love and enjoying everything that life has to offer. Devon De Mayo’s whimsical, spirited production, brimming with warmth and humor, is the perfect nondenominational way to celebrate this special time of year, reminding us that everyday ought to be lived like it’s a gift from above."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews- Highly Recommended
"..."You Can't Take It With You" shrewdly plays to the audience's dream of a life with no responsibilities (and no income tax), where everyone can do their own thing without hurting anyone else. In that sense the comedy is a fairy tale. Whether or not it's relevant today resides in the eye and ear of the beholder. Martin Vanderhoff's message may be dismissed as pleasant, wishful thinking. The show still remains one of the enduring works in the American theater canon and shines with particular brightness in the Northlight's spot-on production."
Chicago Theater Beat- Highly Recommended
"...Director Devon De Mayo's sprawling ensemble is a delight. It would be altogether too easy for the cast to veer way over the top and to reduce the various Sycamores to cartoonish eccentricities. But under De Mayo's hand, there's authenticity even in the wildest moments of the idiosyncratic family."