The Wartburg Players is a student organization on campus focusing on theater and drama to promote participation on and off stage. Each year, the group organizes both a fall and a spring play. This fall’s play is “You Can’t Take It with You.”
“It’s a comedy with a kooky family that all believe that you should be happy and not care about making money,” said fourth-year and co-play director Sammy Dengler. “They have one normal daughter, and she wants to marry outside of the family, but then when the families come together, it’s just a whole mess.”
The production mainly follows the story of Alice and Tony. Alice Sycamore is the “normal” daughter, and Tony Kirby is the rich boy she intends to marry. When they introduce their two families together, the Sycamores may be a bit too unconventional for the Kirby’s’ posh lifestyle.
Dengler and fourth-year Jennaya Everist are co-directors of this fall’s production. The two of them share a theater background. Everist and Dengler have worked on productions within their communities, high school and college experiences. Their past experiences working together have allowed them to navigate their differing production styles to create something great.
“This is definitely the most hands-on experience I’ve had with directing, and I’m really enjoying it, and Sammy is a great partner,” said Everist.
Dengler and Everist believe students can relate to this play even though it is very comedic and lighthearted at times.
“It’s kind of about chosen family. I think a lot of people can relate to that also, just kind of being yourself and kind of not being exactly what you consider like socially normal,” said Everist.
The Wartburg Players chose “You Can’t Take It with You” due to its large casting opportunity.
“It’s a big cast, which is good, and there’s a lot of big roles, which I feel there’s a lot of times we do shows with, like, a few big roles, and then not a lot of people get their time on stage,” said Dengler.
Dengler has done this production before, which has made the production process easier. Everist also felt this production was a great opportunity to truly show the many talented students at Wartburg.
“I just I love this show for players, because we have so many talented students at Wartburg that can play all of these various roles and shine,” said Everist. “[I love that] it’s a comedy, but it’s also very just heartfelt as well.”
Though production rehearsals are in the early stages, the players will have their live performances on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. All performances will take place in the Lyceum Auditorium with a costume contest during intermission to celebrate the Halloween weekend.
Students can use their Wartburg ID to receive free admission into the Players’ production. Non-students can purchase their tickets at the door. For more information on Wartburg Players and their production of “You Can’t Take It with You,” visit their website.
