‘Can’t take it with you’ but you can watch LHS play

LAKEWOOD — Lakewood High School might be on spring break, but its Drama Club is still working feverishly through its vacation to prepare for the April 15 debut of ''You Can't Take It With You.'' The three-act romantic comedy is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that was also made into an Academy Award-winning film.

LAKEWOOD — Lakewood High School might be on spring break, but its Drama Club is still working feverishly through its vacation to prepare for the April 15 debut of “You Can’t Take It With You.” The three-act romantic comedy is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that was also made into an Academy Award-winning film.

The story follows the courtship of Alice Sycamore and Tony Kirby, as they attempt to persuade their respective families to get along over the course of a strange evening dinner.

LHS junior Raelene Mock managed to nab the starring role of Alice in spite of this being her first year in Drama Club, while senior Kara Blackwood brings four years of experience in the club to her role as Alice’s mother, Penny.

“This is my first production that isn’t a musical,” Raelene said. “I’m also not used to having such a big part.”

Even Kara admitted that she’d never played a character who spent so much time onstage, while junior Devin Smith, who plays Penny’s father and Alice’s grandfather, found it most difficult to adopt the mannerisms of a 75-year-old man.

“I have to hunch over and have a raspy voice,” Devin said. “At the same time, I have to bring a certain enthusiasm to the character, but also be the calm and collected man of the house. It’s a real balancing act.”

All three actors touted the play’s portrayal of the peculiarities of families as its big selling point, with Raelene noting the cast of characters’ “crazy personalities” and Kate pointing out their “overdramatic reactions” to each other.

“You’ve got a wide variety of different quirks on display,” Devin said. “You’ve got folks making fireworks and raising snakes and dancing to ballet. They’re zany but relatable.”

Raelene admitted that she often breaks into laughter during rehearsals, while Kate enjoys the “weird, upbeat” vibe of the production.

“If you’re looking for some fun entertainment with a little PG-13 innuendo, come check us out,” Kate said.

“You Can’t Take It With You” starts at 7 p.m. on the Fridays and Saturdays of April 15-16 and 22-23 in the LHS auditorium.

Tickets are $6 with ASB or $8 without.