"You Can't Take It With You", written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, is the first show from Village Players Theater's "New American Classics" Main Stage Series in the 2009-2010 Season.

This hilarious comedy on family is directed by Jack Hickey, Oak Park Festival Theatre's Artistic Director. He's been a force in Chicago's acting and directing circles for the last 30 years, including work in the Goodman, Drury Lane, and Victory Gardens. Hickey was the Artistic Director for Equity Library Theater Chicago, where he staged numerous comedies ranging from Chekov to Shakespeare. This experience, along with many years working on commercials, film and video instruction, followed Jack to Oak Park Festival Theatre when he started his work there in 2002. He has continued to direct and act for shows for Festival Theatre on top of running his own business, "Off The Wall Beds".

With his impressive resume it is no wonder that reviewers are loving Hickey's direction in "You Can't Take It With You". The Wednesday Journal has called the production "top-notch", "thoroughly delightful" and a "joyful celebration" of a screwball family. DiningChicago.com gives "kudos" to the cast for their hilarious portrayal of one of the zaniest families in 1930's America.

Can your in-laws top the Sycamores? This family is excited to hear of daughter Alice's engagement to Wall Street heir Tony Kirby. However, Alice doesn't want to introduce Tony to her mother's bad plays, her father's hand-made fireworks, and her sister's horrible ballerina skills. As the two families get to know each other over dinner, disaster ensues causing Alice and Tony's engagement to be on the rocks. Can the ordinary and dull Kirbys learn to love the extraordinarily bizarre Sycamores? "You Can't Take It With You" is an uproarious tale of love and strange circumstances that shows why family is so important in this fast moving country.

The cast includes Courtney Boxwell, Anthony Collaro, Eric Cowgill, Ronaldo Coxson, Elana Elyce, Errol McLendon, Jeff McVann, Michael M. Jones, Judith Laughlin, Katherine Keberlein, Jhenai Mootz, Zoe Palko, Paul Tinsley, James Turano, Bryan Wakefield, and Josh Wintersteen. The design team includes Jessica Harpenau (lighting), John List (sound), Ricky Lurie (costume), Lori Mages (props) and Annette Vargas (scenic). Michelle Spring is the stage manager.

"You Can't Take It With You" is the first show in Village Player Theater's "New American Classics" series. It is followed by Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers" directed by Brian Rabinowitz (Jan 15--Feb 28, 2010), where two brothers learn to live with their seemingly uncaring and strict grandmother. Following that is the Pulitzer Prize winning musical "A Chorus Line" by Marvin Hamlisch, Edward Kleban, James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante (Mar 12--Apr 25, 2010). Watch a dance audition turn into a whirlwind of confession and self discovery. The season will end with Christopher Durang's comedy "The Marriage of Bette and Boo" directed by Village Players' Artistic Director Dan Taube (May 7--June 27, 2010). The only son of a divorced couple looks back to see what went wrong between his parents during their marriage, and what finally went right.

"You Can't Take It With You" Opens Saturday, October 17th at 8:00 p.m, and runs until Sunday, November 22nd, 2009. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25, seniors 65 and over and students with a valid I.D. are $20. Group rates are available for parties of six or more. All performances will be found at the Village Players Performing Arts Center, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. The theater is near the Harlem exit of I-290 and is also accessible by the CTA Green and Blue lines. Plenty of parking is available on the street. The theater is handicapped accessible but please do call ahead to arrange for special seating. You can find more information by calling 866-764-1010 or visiting www.village-players.org.