Image by: Photo suppliedKatherine Newman — Matt Jeppesen, Scott Mason, Brandon Bowen and Sam Farnsworth perform in Old Barn Theatre’s “You Can’t Take It with You.” The theater company will hold performances beginning Oct. 7, 2016.
RACHEL TROTTER, Standard-Examiner correspondent
COLLINSTON — A new play coming to the Old Barn Community Theater tells the story of a soon-to-be-married couple’s love triumphing over their families’ differences.
“You Can’t Take It With You” follows Alice Sycamore and Tony Kirby, a recently engaged couple from entirely different backgrounds. The Kirby clan is wealthy and well-to-do, running in the upper echelons of 1930s society. The Sycamores, on the other hand, are a zany, quirky bunch of misfits.
PREVIEW
WHAT: Old Barn Community Theatre’s “You Can’t Take It With You”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 8,10, 14, 15, 17, 21 and 22. Matinee showings at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8, 15 and 22.
WHERE: 3605 Bigler Road, Collinston
ADMISSION: Tickets are $7-8 for individuals. Families of up to six can get in for $30. Tickets can be purchased online at oldbarn.org or over the phone at 435-458-2276.
Hilarity ensues when the couple introduces their families to one another.
Angeleah Deakin, who plays Alice’s sister, Essie, said the show will leave audiences with a good laugh, but also a bit of inspiration.
“I, myself, leave rehearsal feeling lighter and happier than when I came in — and we haven’t even perfected it yet,” Deakin said.
Even though the show spans just three acts, cast members say the characters have depth. For example, Danielle Anderson — one of the women who plays Alice — said she strongly identifies with the character and her feelings toward her family.
“I read the story earlier in the year and immediately fell in love with the characters and the journey they take throughout the show,” Anderson said.
The show’s director, Marc Jensen, said the Old Barn theater’s intimate setting lends itself well to the play. The venue’s seats radiate out from a stage situated in the center of the audience. The farthest anyone can sit from the stage is four rows back, which puts attendees in the action.
“This show relies heavily on seeing the facial responses of the actors, and the patrons are close enough that they can see those responses,” Jensen said.
Two actors to watch during the show are Devery and Matthew Jeppesen — a married couple playing the roles of Alice and Tony. Ironically, the two will play the lovebirds on the same stage where they fell for one another in real life.
“We love performing together, especially when we get to play the romantic leads opposite of each other,” Devery Jeppesen said.
Even though the Old Barn isn’t the closest theater to many Northern Utahns, Jensen said the actors make it worth the trip.
“It is a bit of a drive, but we have fought to keep our prices low,” he said. “We are the most affordable community theater in Northern Utah.”
