Volume 29, issue 15 February 11,1994
SouthwordS
Maine South U.S. Park Ridge, IL
"You Can't Take it With You" Opens by Katie Burns This year's All School Play, "You Can't Take it With You," is a cheerful spot in the winter gloom. The comedy opens Thursday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m. and will also be performed at that time on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are S4 apiece. The annual dinner theatre will be at 5:30 on Saturday night The cost is SIO per person for dinner and admission to the performance. Reservations for the dinner theatre can be made, but tickets can also be bought at the door. The play is set in the Great Depression; nevertheless, as with many plays written during the time period, the plot is optimistic and upbeat. It centers around the eccentric Sycamore family, headed by the wise Grandpa, and its way of looking at the world. The conflict comes when one of the daughters, Alice, falls in love with Tony, the son of a wealthy businessman. Alice is torn between her bizarre family and the man she loves because she sees no way that she can have both. "I feel extremely lucky to be working in this play as well as with this cast," says Lisa Marie Brodsky, who plays Alice. She continues, "Everyone is so wonderful, the Sycamores do really feel like a family." Brad Haak, who plays Tony, comments on the play: "This play is significant because, out of all the plays we've done here, this is the first work that has really hit me with the author's message; we're all taking life a little too seriously - after all - we can't take it with us!"
What: You Can't Take it WithYou How much: $4.00 a seat When: 7:30, February 17-19 Where: the auditorium The cast is as varied and in many ways as eccentric and good-natured as the characters they play on stage. The easy-going Grandpa is played by Kevin Byrne. Grandpa's daughter and son-in-law. Penny and Paul, are played by Donna Culhane and Tim Osborne. Penny's daughters are the practical Alice and the dancing Essie, who is Tina DeGrazia. Essie's husband Ed is Rich Russo and Tony Kirby's parents are Jon Forsythe and Kathy Sandrik. Along with these are other characters too numerous to name, but lively and individual unto themselves. Rehearsals for the comedy can be hectic, but director Mr. Muzynski and student director Matt Fontaine keep things moving. Even after massive rescheduling due to the days school was closed by the cold, the actors and actresses are progressing steadily. Behind the scenes, Kathryn Kazmierski tries to keep track of every thing in her position as stage manager. Mr. Sanchez, and plentiful
crew heads and members, take care of building the set to the sounds of wildly varied music and a whole lot of banging. Paintcovered people paint next to sawdust-covered people sawing. In the chaotic stage area everyone works together so that everything will run smoothly during the performance. Props and costumes are from the time period, which can cause problems. While members of props crew run hither and thither in their search for items, the woman behind the costumes, Mrs. McCleneghan, says, "The costume crew endures the cold while continuallyfindingnew humor in trying to dress the Sycamores and their friends in a variety of styles resembling those of the 30's and 40's." All involved look forward to a great run with a great audience. As Mr. Muzynski comments, "It's always been one of my favorite plays. I find it extremely funny and I hope that students seeing it for the first time will think it's funny, too."
Opportunity for young poets beckons by Todd Pytel Have you always had a secret desire to express yourscl fin iambic pentameter? A yearning to articulate your deepest thoughts in blank verse? If you enjoy expressing your thoughts in poetic form, you might be interested in what the Northwest Cultural Council has to offer. For the last year or so, the Council has sponsored a monthly meeting of young poets in the Northwest suburban area. The meetings are run by two area English teachers, one a published poet. Students can come to read their poetry or just listen. There are restrictions on neither the length nor the content of poetry to be read.
With poetry taking so many different forms, students are given an almost unlimited number of ways to express themselves. The readings provide a comfortable, open atmosphere for high schoolers who are interested in poetry. Although student support has dwindled during the last school year, the program offers young poets several opportunities. One is the chance to read original poeu^y with peers as the audience. This is much less frightening for many than walking up to an open microphone in a coffee house. Also, many poets can derive some inspiration from others, particularly in the same age group. Another opportunity is to hear comments from the teachers who help
run the program. Finally, it can provide a stepping stone for major poetic events. In 1993, two young poets were chosen to read their works alongside a United States Poet Laureate. A similar event is planned for April 23, 1994 with visiting U.S. Poet Laureate Mona Van Duyn. The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be on March 9. The meetings are held at 7:30 P.M. at the Northwest Cultural Council Gallery at 5999 New Wilke Road, Suite 107 in Rolling Meadows, approximately a thirty minute drive for most Maine South students. For more information, contact (708) 9567966.