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  • 1.  You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-19-2015 16:19

    I feel so indecisive.  Anyone have thoughts about doing one Kaufman and Hart show over the other?  The Man who Came to Dinner just reads funnier to me and seems more interesting but a local youth theatre is pulling my best boys away and I am worried that I won't have the right male lead.  I remember reading here that someone did an all female version of of this show, and I was wondering if you were able to get permission to switch the genders?   

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    Bonnie Wilson
    Scottsdale AZ
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  • 2.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-20-2015 08:24

    I've only done The Man Who Came to Dinner, but I love it so much I've done it twice. Both times I ended up using a female lead, however I did not "switch genders". My girls played Whiteside as a man--and played it well! In both cases I had audience members tell me afterwards that they did not realize it was a female until curtain call. The second time I did the show Banjo was a female--again played as a male. For the rest of the roles, you would have a hard time pulling it off--maybe Sheridan could gender swap....   As a fun side note, I was able to get Nathan Lane to send an autographed note of congratulations to my girl playing Whiteside the first time I did the show. Love the show. Good luck!

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    Rosemary Milsap
    Drama Teacher, Dir. of Cedar Theatre
    Athens GA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-20-2015 09:40

    I have produced both productions, as well as performing in them both myself!  I think both are well received by both performers and audience alike.  I think that they have fun performing  The Man Who Came to Dinner the most.

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    Scarlett LaVite
    Naples FL
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  • 4.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-20-2015 10:22

    Hey! I directed You can't take it with you 3 years ago and had so much fun! I love the story and it leaves room to be very creative!

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    Andrea Haeussler
    Drama Teacher and Theatre Manager
    Colegio Maya
    VIENNA VA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-20-2015 13:35

    Bonnie,

    I have directed both shows.  I prefer You Can't Take It With You  for several reasons:  The actors could relate and, therefore, enjoyed the roles more; the audience enjoyed it more; it is more of an ensemble piece.

    You can't go wrong with either one.

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    Mary Midiri-Davis
    Illiopolis IL
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-20-2015 14:29

    Hi!

    I have directed The Man Who Came to Dinner and Once in A Lifetime, but I have done You Can't Take It With You four times (once as actor, three times as a director).

    Last year we had Grandpa played by a female actor in drag, including beard and pot belly, and it was a great success.

    Both shows you are considering have worked very well for me, every time.

    Do the show you feel fits you right now and the actors you think you will have.  Save the other for later.

    It doesn't really matter the gender or race of the actor as long as the student does his or her best to play the role. When we do high school shows, we constantly invite audiences to imagine teens as older or younger characters than they really are.  Why not different genders or races?

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    Nathan Rosen
    Baltimore MD
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-21-2015 09:44

    YOu can't Take it with You has that great line, "Sex... Wallstreet."

    Our kids lived YCTIWY

    I have never seen TMWCTD in production, any other opinions on that piece, maybe it is time to read it again.

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    Daniel Stowell
    Teacher / Director
    Dublin OH
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-20-2015 21:37

    Bonnie,

    Both shows are fun and funny.  Classic American comedy.

    I actually think YCTIWY is a better script.  The characters are more developed. The way the show develops is more dynamic and engaging in my opinion. Audiences love it and I think the characters are more accessible for high school ages actors.

    I also think Act 2 is the one of the best Act 2's ever written.

    Don't switch genders. I think it is probably not allowed and it would change the story too much.

    You need a really strong actor for Grandpa.  He really can make or break the show.

    Good luck with your decision.

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    John Rutherford
    Rochester Hills MI
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: You Can't Take it With You OR Man Who Came to Dinner

    Posted 08-21-2015 12:10

    Thank you all for your wonderful responses.   Especially about having strong females play males.  I agree that YCTIWY is more relatable because of the physical comedy, but I'm with those who feel that TMWCTD is a funnier script when read aloud.

    Here's my (new) real problem.  "The Man" went out as our fall show in hard copy to all the families at the school.  In the past, we put the titles on the online calendar only.   So now, since the complexity of casting doesn't occur to most administrators, they are hesitant to make a change, even though announcing a new title makes for extra publicity, especially since "You Can't" is more well-known.

    So now I wait for them to decide.  Do I audition for "The Man" and see if I get enough kids and a great lead, and then switch the show if I have to?  The students are more excited about "You Can't", so I could be stronger in my request to change it.  But I just love the opening sequence of "The Man" - and I love Act 2 in "You Can't" - and the show is Oct. 9!  

    I love my job, and I love these kids, but my husband says my problem is that my favorite color is plaid! 

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    Bonnie Wilson
    Scottsdale AZ
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    Original Message


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