You Can't Take It with You (play)
"You Can't Take It with You" is a celebrated play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart that debuted on December 14, 1936, at the Booth Theatre. The narrative centers around the Sycamore family, a group of lovable eccentrics, particularly focusing on their daughter Alice, who is in love with Tony Kirby, the son of a more conventional and conservative family. The interactions between the two families lead to humorous and chaotic situations, highlighting themes of individuality and the pursuit of happiness amidst societal norms. The play resonated with audiences during the tumultuous 1930s, offering a sense of escapism through its comedic elements and farcical humor. Garnering critical acclaim, it won the 1936 Pulitzer Prize and was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1938. Its legacy continues, as it remains one of the most frequently produced plays in community theaters across the United States. The influence of "You Can't Take It with You" can be seen in modern comedy, particularly in television sitcom formats that echo its themes of family dynamics and humorous chaos.
You Can't Take It with You (play)
Identification Long-running Broadway comedy
Authors George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Dates December 14, 1936, to December 3, 1938
You Can’t Take It with You won the 1936 Pulitzer Prize for drama and ran for more than 838 performances. It later became a staple of American theaters.
When You Can’t Take It with You opened at the Booth Theatre on December 14, 1936, authors George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart had no way of knowing it would capture the hearts of audiences and run for 838 performances. Its performance run was one of the longest in Broadway history at that time.
The play depicts a group of eccentrics, the Sycamores, whose daughter Alice has fallen in love with Tony Kirby, the son of conservative parents. The meeting of the two families leads to chaotic results, as the Sycamores steadfastly remain true to their individualism and pursuit of happiness and the Kirbys discover that a little bit of madness might not be such a bad thing after all.
The idea that a family could overcome any adversity was appealing to 1930’s audiences. The comic elements and farcical humor also helped audiences forget about the troubling times awaiting them outside the theater.
Both audiences and critics hailed the play, which was the third collaboration by Kaufman and Hart. It was particularly noted for its snappy one-liners, broad characterizations, and escapist humor. It won the 1936 Pulitzer Prize, and the 1938 film version won an Academy Award for best picture. It is still one of the most frequently produced plays in amateur theaters across the country.
Impact
You Can’t Take It with You provided audiences with a traditional family comedy at a time of chaos and uncertainty. The situation of a lovable yet wacky family coming together to overturn the obstacles in their lives has influenced numerous comedies since, and the format can be seen most clearly in modern television situation comedies.
Bibliography
Goldstein, Malcolm. George S. Kaufman: His Life, His Theater. New York: Oxford University Press, 1979.
Hart, Moss. “No Time for Comedy . . . or Satire: My Most Interesting Work.” Theatre Arts, May, 1954, 32-33.
Maslon, Laurence, ed. Kaufman and Co.: Broadway Comedies. New York: Library of America, 2004.