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| Aroostook Republican photo/Theron Larkins The Caribou High School Drama Club performed the play “You Can’t Take it With You” on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Pictured, from left, are Ethan Caron, Sarah Draper, Dominick Judd and Conner Spencer. |
By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The Caribou Performing Arts Center was the site for the Caribou High School Drama Club’s presentation of the play “You Can’t Take it With You.” On Dec. 12 and 13, the drama club performed their rendition of the play, originally written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. Both nights saw the play begin at 7:30 p.m., with a large community presence turning out for the three-act play.
The Caribou High School’s Drama Club gave the crowd a stirring, yet comedic performance that had those in attendance laughing, smiling or crying throughout much of the play.
“Here’s a story I heard, it touched me to my core and reminded me again of why live theatre is so vital and needs to stay with us,” director Pat Karpen began. “On Friday night, a very young gent was in the audience, I was told he was enjoying the play so very much that when it was over he broke into tears, as though his heart would break. So, on Saturday night, I was in a carping and complaining frame of mind and was boiling and roiling about all the little things that had gone wrong. Then, I heard that story and I realized that my actors had given that child his first heartbeat of live theatre. That’s what sets theatre apart from film, for me anyway. You can’t deny the heartbeats there in the theatre with you. That little boy heard it when I could not. He reminded me of the pulse, the breath of life.”
The entire cast was able to conduct themselves in a professional manner, which made for a unique experience for those who were unfamiliar with this dramatic form of art. With it being fairly safe to assume that the majority of those in the audience have never been able to witness a Broadway play, the cast of “You Can’t Take it With You” was prepared to provide them with the next best thing, and they were thanked for their performance with a standing ovation at the end of both nights.
Karpen mentioned that this play was dedicated to those who say “yes” and who “do.”
“It is dedicated to those who will take any part. small, large or in-between,” said Karpen. “It is for those people who will hunt down props and costumes; who will paint, lift, carry and schlep. It is dedicated with love to theatre people.”
“It was challenging to convince young actors that it would take days to learn lines. I guess you have to travel that road to understand,” said Karpen. “It was challenging to watch people leave the cast when they realized that acting and theatre took as much time and discipline as any sport. The very size of the show was challenging in terms of sound effects, props, costumes and on and on.”
The scene for the entire play takes place in the home of Martin Vanerhof, in New York.
Karpen also mentioned that, in this play African Americans are referred to as “colored.” The work ethic of one is represented as a less than positive stereotype. Legally the drama club was not able to re-write scripts, and it’s also important to remember how far we’ve traveled and to consider how far we may still have to go.
There was a long list of people who were involved in the production of this play and it was important to the production team that no one go unnoticed, because there are no small parts in a play. The makeup team of Chelsea Chapman and Reagan Michaud made sure the entire cast looked the part, and the running crew of Kevin Bolton, Loretta Holmes, Marissa Keaton and Kaitlyn Ring made sure all the behind-the-scenes work ran smoothly.
Karpen also had a long list of non-cast or crew members who played a large part in making sure the production of this play went off without a hitch. She gave thanks to Mr. Wakana, “who proved that with compromise theatre and athletics could work together. Also, to Chico Hernandez, who showed people how to fall safely. Thanks to his wrestling team, who helped move set pieces and props.” Thanks to Dustin and Dylan Cote, who “showed us interesting ways to get the drop on someone.” Thanks to Jesse McCabe, who built the stairs and arch. Thanks to 2nd Hand Rose which “once again let us borrow a kazillion dollars of costumes.” Thanks to the Graphic Arts Department for printing posters and programs. Thanks to numerous cast members and parents who shortened hems and tracked down props. Thanks to those who painted, pushed and pulled. Thanks to Albany McCabe, who created sound effects and posters. Thanks to Lukas Lagasse, who provided us with so much furniture and frou frou and to Kris Michaud, who helped him move it here late one night.
“The most enjoyable part was wallowing in the enthusiasm, the work ethic, the focus and the talent of those faithful who stayed and even more of those who jumped from one part to another and allowed themselves to be recruited to fill in the gaps left by those who departed,” Karpen added. “The loyalty of those kids was palpable. Joy is always watching young actors ‘get it.’ I saw young actors fall in love with theatre and discover so much about themselves in the process. The laughter of an audience is a gift. It is a gift to bring laughter into a room and into hearts.”
Cast members for the play in order of appearance were as follows: Penelope Sycamore played by Anthony McCabe, Essie played by Emily Bragdon, Rheba played by Sarah Draper, Paul Sycamore played by Lukas Lagasse, Mr. De Pinna played by school librarian Barbara Finlay, who was also part of the play’s production team, Ed played by David Okulski, Donald played by Dominick Judd, Martin Vanderhof played by Ethan Caron, Alice played by Kristyn Maley, Henderson played by Heaven Melanson, Tony Kirby played by Jared Moncier, Boris Kolenkhov played by Ricky Perry, Gay Wellington played by Conner Spencer, Mr. Kirby played by Kris Michaud, Mrs. Kirby played by Kourtenie Rossignol, the men played by Sarah Draper and Emma Theriault and Olga also played by Heaven Melanson.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Theron Larkins The Caribou High School Drama Club performed the play “You Can’t Take it With You” on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Pictured, from left, are Conner Spencer (on couch), Albany McCabe and Ethan Caron. |
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Theron Larkins The Caribou High School Drama Club performed the play “You Can’t Take it With You” on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Pictured during their performance are Kristyn Maley and Albany McCabe. |
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Theron Larkins The Caribou High School Drama Club performed the play “You Can’t Take it With You” on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Pictured here performing in her role as Gay Wellington is Conner Spencer. |
