Theatrical Play "You Can’t Take It With You" In Need of Actors

Female-Identifying (246 lines) Penny is the mother of Essie and Alice, wife of Paul, and daughter of Martin. She writes plays and paints as hobbies because it makes her happy, but is terrible at both. Penny is a loving mother and wife and is constantly concerned with the welfare of her family. Her main goal is to make sure everyone is happy, particularly her daughter Alice. A huge part! On stage almost all the time.

Female-Identifying (181 lines) Fiancé of Tony Kirby, daughter of Paul and Penny, granddaughter of Martin, sister of Essie. She’s the only "normal" family member. She has an office job and is rather embarrassed by the eccentricities of her family when she has Tony and his parents at her house, yet she still loves them. She tends to be a pessimist. The actress for Alice needs to show characteristics of love, embarrassment, worry, and many more.

Female-Identifying (87 lines) Wife of Ed, daughter of Penny and Paul Sycamore, granddaughter of Martin, sister of Alice. She is childish. As a hobby she makes candy that Ed sells. Essie dreams of being a ballerina. She has spent 8 years studying with Boris Kolenkhov, but is a terrible dancer. Actress will need to be able to perform these embarrassing, bad dances, keep a very straight face, and be willing to dance intermingled with Kolenkhov.

Female-Identifying (44 lines) The maid and cook to the Sycamore family. She is dating Donald. She is onstage a lot, but doesn’t necessarily always say anything.

Female-Identifying (33 lines) Wife of Mr. Kirby, mother of Tony. She is an extremely prim and proper woman and is horrified by the goings-on in the Sycamore household. Her hobby is spiritualism. A small, female role, but one that shows a great deal of emotion.

Female-Identifying (20 lines) She was one of the Grand Duchesses of Russia before the Revolution. Since then, she has been forced to flee to America where she has found work as a waitress in Childs Restaurant. She loves to cook as a hobby. This character will appear later in the play, and the actress needs to be able to be a bit over-the-top, but not overdo it. A memorable, not necessarily overwhelming, Russian accent is desired.

Female-Identifying (9 lines) An actress whom Mrs. Sycamore meets on a bus and invites home to read one of her plays. She is an alcoholic, gets very drunk and passes out shortly after arriving at the Sycamores’ home. A very small role, but onstage for several scenes. The actress must be okay to be physically carried by another actor and able to act “passed out” in hilarious positions without breaking character.

Male-Identifying (207 lines) Father-in-law to Paul, father of Penny, grandfather of Alice and Essie. He is an eccentric, happy old man who has never paid his income tax because he doesn't believe in it. He lives his life by the philosophy: “Don't do anything that you're not going to enjoy doing.” A challenging role, but most of your blocking is sitting in a rocker.

Male-Identifying (136 lines) Fiancé of Alice, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kirby. He sees how, even though the Sycamores appear odd, they are really the perfect family because they love and care about each other. His own family is very proper and has many issues. He is vice president of Kirby and Co. This actor will need an adorable properness to him and must win the audience’s side right from the start.

Male-Identifying (107 lines) Husband of Mrs. Kirby, father of Tony. He is a very proper man who is president of Kirby and Co. and secretly despises his job. His hobby is raising expensive orchids. He is also a member of several exclusive clubs. Whoever has this role must be able to keep a straight face when hilarity ensues.

Male-Identifying (83 lines) A Russian who escaped to America shortly before the Russian Revolution. He is Essie’s ballet instructor, aware that she is untalented but enjoys dancing. He is opinionated and often loudly declares that something "stinks"! This actor can be either large and boisterous or small and flamboyant. Must be able to support Essie physically and keep a straight face.

Male-Identifying (68 lines) Father of Essie and Alice, husband of Penny, son-in-law of Martin. He is a tinkerer who manufactures fireworks in the basement with the help of Mr. De Pinna.

Male-Identifying (65 lines) Husband of Essie, son-in-law of Paul and Penny. He is a xylophone player, distributes Essie's candies, and is an amateur printer. He also makes masks. Needs to balance confidence in his crafts with meekness when confronted by the feds.

Male-Identifying (55 lines) The iceman who came inside to speak to Paul five years before and never left. He helps Paul build fireworks and models for Penny’s paintings. A quirky, sidekick-style role.

Male-Identifying (46 lines) The boyfriend of Rheba, who seems to serve as volunteer handyman for the Sycamores.

Male-Identifying (34 lines) An IRS employee who comes to collect Grandpa’s back taxes but can’t understand his refusal. A one-scene role that always gets laughs.

Three Government Agents: (18 lines) Agents who come to investigate Ed’s “communist” printed material. Small roles, but one actor must be comfortable carrying another character.

Three Government Agents: (3 lines) Agents who come to investigate Ed’s “communist” printed material. Small roles, but one actor must be comfortable carrying another character.

Three Government Agents: (2 lines) Agents who come to investigate Ed’s “communist” printed material. Small roles, but one actor must be comfortable carrying another character.