When fall comes around at Seaman, it is filled with all sorts of school and community activities, but when big events such as the fall play arrive, the community notices. Director Mrs. Diane Payne, technical director Ms. Katie Murphy, and the student cast worked very hard to produce the play, “You Can’t Take it With You” for fall. Based around a chaotic meeting between two families, it brings humor and drama to the stage that many could enjoy.

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In the play, Alice Sycamore becomes newly engaged to Tony Kirby who adores her along with the rest of the Sycamores, who are odd to say the least. But when Tony and Alice plan a dinner party at the Sycamore home and the Kirbys arrive a day early, things go awry. It leads to a path of madness that entertains the audience as the families try to figure out their problems along the way. 

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Although this play seems very unique by itself, there are more hidden details than meet the eye. Mrs. Payne explained, “‘You Can’t Take it With You’ has been performed on the Seaman Stage every 20 years. The first was in 1978, the second was 1998, and the third this year on Nov. 1,2,3 at 7 p.m.” 

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Some might wonder whether the tradition is purposeful or accidental. Ms. Murphy said, “No, very very different directors have come and gone in between, it just was one of those coincidences that happens. I wish that I could say that it was totally planned and we are awesome like that but no, not even close.” Even though this time gap was not intended to be a running tradition, it became apparent quickly.

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Ms. Murphy researched the history of plays at Seaman to display on the SHS International Thespian Society website. According to Murphy, “In the course of going through history and making a list of previous productions on our website last year, I knew I had come across the title before. When Mrs. Payne picked that for our show for this year I said, ‘Oh hey we’ve done that before,’ and then I went and looked to see when and that’s when I noted that the years were 20 years apart, and I thought that was kind of interesting.” The play’s background at Seaman makes it all the more meaningful to all those who watched the show.

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As for Mrs. Payne, she hopes that the play has left a mark on all those who got the chance to watch it. She said, “I would hope the audience upon leaving will be touched by the play’s meaning, but at the same time enjoy the humor within the message.”