'You Can't Take It With You' opens at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre July 25

After three musicals, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre offers its first play of the season, "You Can't Take It With You," opening Saturday, July 25.

The 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy is a three-act play written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

The original production opened at the Booth Theatre on Broadway in December 1936 and played for 837 performances.

The play was still running on Broadway when the Hollywood film version directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore premiered.

The story revolves around the Sycamores, a large, free-spirited family living in a rambling home without visible means of support.

The conflict and comedy are created when the Sycamores and thrown together with the Kirbys, a wealthy but stuffy family of great self-importance.

When romance blossoms between the only sensible Sycamore family member, Alice, and the Kirby's son, Tony, who is being groomed to head the family's very successful company, a perfect comedy erupts. The result is both hilarity and wisdom.

Making his Lyceum debut, Michael Rothhaar will be playing the role of Martin Vanderhoff, the head of the Sycamore household and Grandfather to Alice.

Rothhaar's acting career includes the Broadway productions of "The Front Page" and "The Corn Is Green." He is also a past Artistic Director at the Pennsylvania Allenberry Playhouse.

Rothhaar's television credits include "Cold Case," "The Practice," "NYPD Blue" and "Ally McBeal," to name a few.

Peggy Billo returns to the Lyceum stage to play the part of Penelope Sycamore, daughter to Martin Vanderhoff and mother to Alice.

Billo last appeared at the Lyceum as Mrs. Norman in the 2007 production of "Children Of A Lesser God."

Her acting talents have been showcased in several Missouri theaters including STAGES ST. LOUIS, New Jewish Theatre, Muddy Waters and the Ozark Actor's Theatre.

In Los Angeles Peggy appeared in "BunBury" and "The Pagans." Her television credits include "3rd Rock From The Sun," "7th Heaven," and "The Bold & Beautiful."

Ashlee LaPine has quickly become a Lyceum favorite this season. Her roles have included playing Grace Farrell in "Annie," Mrs. Irene Molloy in "Hello, Dolly!" and now she takes on the role of Alice in "You Can't Take It With You." LaPine's recent credits include Helen In "Winesburg, Ohio" at the Kansas City Rep, and Emily in "Our Town" at the Coterie Theatre.

Todd Carlton Lanker is making his Lyceum debut in "You Can't Take It With You," playing the role of Tony Kirby, Alice Sycamore's love interest. A few of Lanker's credits include playing the title role in "Hamlet" with the two/thirds Theatre Project, Pontius Pilate in the world premiere of "The Master and Margarita" and George Gibbs in "Our Town" at the Coterie Theatre.

The Lyceum Theatre welcomes back David Girolmo, last seen as Oliver Warbucks in "Annie." He will play Mr. Kirby, Tony's father in "You Can't Take It With You."

The part of Mrs. Kirby will be played by Amy Warner. Warner's stage credits include Desiree in "A Little Night Music," Gertrude in "Hamlet," and Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Returning to the Lyceum stage is Ron Wisniski, most recently see as Horace Vandergelder in "Hello, Dolly!" Wisniski plays the Russian dance instructor, Boris Kolenkhov, a dear friend to the Sycamore family. Wisniski's credits number more than 100 plays and musicals including national tours and off-Broadway productions.

Also returning to the Lyceum for her third season is Mallory Hawks, playing Essie Carmichael, daughter of Penelope and Paul Sycamore and sister to Alice. Hawks was most recently seen in Arrow Rock last season playing Jo March in "Little Women, the Musical."

Rounding out the cast will be Lyceum favorite Alan Knoll as Paul Sycamore; Chioma Ayanwu as Rheba, the Sycamore's maid; Harold Hynick as Mr. De Pinna; Lyceum Artisitic Director Quin Gresham as Ed; Leo Christopher Sheridan as Donald; Andrew Wells; Wade Hughes; and Steve Bertani.

Directing "You Can't Take It With You" is Michael Evan Haney. Haney comes to the Lyceum from Cincinnati where he serves as associate artistic director for the Tony-award winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

The production team includes: Caitlin Ayer, scenic designer; Randy B. Winder, lighting designer; Garth Dunbar, costume designer; Ryan Hall, sound designer; Tony Dearing, production stage manager and Emilee Buchheit, assistant stage manager.

Five matinee performances at 2 p.m. on July 25, 26, 29, 30 and Aug. 1. Four evening performances at 8 p.m. on July 25, 29, 31, and Aug. 1.

For Tickets visit the website www.lyceumtheatre.org or call 660-837-3311.