The BYU–Hawaii Theatre Program recently brought George S. Kaufmann and Moss Hart’s classic romantic comedy-drama "You Can’t Take It with You" to the stage, delighting audiences with its timeless themes of family, individuality, and the pursuit of happiness. Directed by Dr. Michael Morris, the play ran from October 25 to November 2 and featured an enthusiastic cast of students from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspective to this humorous and heartwarming story.
Morris, the play’s director and head of the BYUH Theatre Program, expressed his excitement and gratitude for leading his first production at BYU–Hawaii as a recent hire. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “As a brand-new faculty member in the university and returning to directing college students, I was nervous about how I would do. But working with this talented and diverse cast who threw everything into the show was such an honor. It was the best experience I could have hoped for in my first production at BYU–Hawaii.”
One of the lead roles, Alice Sycamore, was played by Adriel Logroño, a junior from the Philippines. She described her role in the production as both challenging and transformative. “Participating in this play has been a tremendous honor and a wonderful experience, especially under the guidance of our talented director, Professor Morris, who challenged us to fully commit to our characters and encouraged us to have fun,” she shared. “As this was my first big role, I felt nervous at first, but I have grown significantly and now feel more confident on stage. I hope the audience understands the important lessons we aimed to convey through our performance.”
Louis Naingue, a sophomore from the Philippines, took on the role of Paul Sycamore, Alice’s father. Naingue emphasized the unique family dynamic in the play, as well as the bonds forged within the cast. “It was an honor to play this character, bringing his character to life and sharing his story with the Laie community, allowing them to connect and relate to the Sycamores’ world,” he said. “Working with our cast and crew was a wonderful experience, filled with memorable behind-the-scenes moments. They showed me the meaning of ohana in the theater world.”
Behind the scenes, Michael Pinpin, a senior from Washington, served as the lead audio technician. He praised the play’s message and the unique, lively personalities in each role, which contributed to a memorable experience. “I really loved the characters,” Pinpin noted. “Each one was very lively and added a unique variety to the story. Also, the thematic narrative of finding your passion was not only comedic but heartwarming.”
The audience response echoed these sentiments. Susie Suyama, a junior from Florida who attended the play, was deeply impressed by the performance, sharing, “I loved going to the play. I'm a big fan of theater and the arts in general, and I just loved seeing my fellow classmates and friends up there giving it their all… It was a great story about loving and accepting your family for who they are and how that can actually bring more light to the world.”
Looking forward to their next production, the BYUH Theatre Program will hold auditions on November 18 for its upcoming Winter 2025 play, “Aida,” the acclaimed musical by Elton John and Tim Rice, promising another season of vibrant performances and community-building experiences.
The BYU–Hawaii cast and crew of “You Can’t Take It with You” reminded the audience of the value of family, self-acceptance, and the importance of finding joy in life’s quirks—lessons that truly reflect the heart of the BYUH community.