Characters
Penelope (Penny) Vanderhof Sycamore
Penelope "Penny" Vanderhof Sycamore, the matriarch of the Sycamore household, is a woman in her mid-fifties who embodies a carefree, easygoing nature. She delights in the oddities of her family and life itself. Initially, she was an enthusiastic painter, but she switched to playwriting after a typewriter was mistakenly delivered to her home. Despite lacking stellar skills in both arts, Penny tackles each with flair and humor. As the first character to appear in You Can't Take It with You, she is portrayed as a "round little woman" who is both endearing and candid. Her frankness adds to the comic chaos during the Kirby's visit, where she inadvertently causes embarrassment through her blunt conversations. Penny's character epitomizes the joyful chaos of the household, bringing levity and humor into every situation.
Grandpa Martin Vanderhof
Grandpa Martin Vanderhof, at the age of 75, is the wise patriarch who initiated the family’s unorthodox lifestyle. His departure from the business world three decades prior was driven by a desire to pursue happiness over wealth. Described as a "wiry little man," Grandpa spends his days collecting stamps, throwing darts, attending university commencements, and enjoying his family. His philosophy of living joyfully without succumbing to societal pressures serves as the play's moral center, advocating for personal fulfillment over material accumulation. His eccentric clear-sightedness repeatedly saves the day and underscores the play’s thematic message of prioritizing happiness.
Alice Sycamore
Alice Sycamore, the youngest daughter in the family, stands as the most conventional member of the Sycamore household. At 22, she holds a stable job on Wall Street and is deeply enamored with Tony Kirby. Though Alice harbors concerns about familial compatibility, her love and commitment to her eccentric family are unwavering. Providing a relatable perspective for the audience amidst the familial antics, Alice is caught between two worlds: the chaotic but loving atmosphere of her home, and the more conventional lifestyle represented by Tony's family.
Anthony (Tony) Kirby, Jr.
Tony Kirby, Jr. is a "very nice young man," fresh from Yale and Cambridge, now serving as vice president in his father's company. His affection for Alice draws him into the Sycamore fold, where he finds their lifestyle delightfully different from his own conservative upbringing. Tony's visits to the Sycamore home reveal his longing for genuine familial warmth, prompting him to challenge his father's business-driven ethos in favor of the Sycamores' pursuit of happiness. Tony's character represents the bridge between traditional values and the Sycamore's unconventional way of life.
Paul Sycamore
Paul Sycamore, Penny's husband, is characterized by his quiet charm and mild disposition. He has eschewed traditional work to indulge in his passion for constructing fireworks in the basement, often testing them in the living room. Despite the occasional explosive mishap, Paul maintains a youthful air, engaging in hobbies like building with an Erector Set. Unlike his wife, Paul is less engaged in the familial madness due to his basement hours, yet he is content with his chosen pursuits, embodying a calm presence amidst the chaos.
Anthony Kirby, Sr.
Anthony Kirby, Sr., Tony's father, embodies the archetypal Wall Street magnate. His initial disapproval of the Sycamores' unconventional ways stems from his rigid adherence to societal norms and financial success. Despite his conservative outlook, Mr. Kirby gradually comes to appreciate the vitality of the Sycamore's "carpe diem" approach, although not without grappling with his own ingrained notions of propriety. His transformation highlights the thematic clash between societal expectations and individual happiness.
Essie Sycamore Carmichael
Essie Carmichael, at 29, is Penny's eldest daughter and an enthusiastic, if not particularly talented, aspiring ballerina. She spends...
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her time crafting candies, whimsically dubbed "Love Dreams," while simultaneously practicing ballet to the tunes of her husband Ed's xylophone. Despite her lack of dance prowess, Essie persists with enthusiasm, forever clad in her ballet slippers. Her obliviousness to the family’s eccentricities mirrors her contentment with her whimsical endeavors, emphasizing the play’s theme of pursuing personal joys.
Ed Carmichael
Ed Carmichael, Essie's husband, is depicted as a "nondescript young man" with musical inclinations, playing the xylophone alongside his amateur printing endeavors. His hobby of printing revolutionary slogans on his hand-press attracts unintended FBI attention due to their political nature. Despite this, Ed remains a benign character, integrating his printed musings into Essie's candy boxes, unaware of the stir they cause. He contributes to the household's creative chaos with good-natured oblivion.
Boris Kolenkhov
Boris Kolenkhov, Essie’s dance instructor, infuses the Sycamore’s eclectic dynamic with a boisterous Russian flair. His vigorous encouragement of Essie's ballet pursuits and impromptu wrestling matches with Mr. Kirby inject additional humor into the play. Kolenkhov's presence highlights the international and cultural diversity within the Sycamore household, adding to the play's comedic energy.
Rheba
Rheba, the Sycamore's maid, is portrayed with an efficient and practical demeanor. Despite the period’s racial stereotypes, Rheba stands as a perceptive commentator on the family's antics. Her presence amidst the household's chaos is steady, and she shares a congenial relationship with the eccentric family, providing a grounded perspective within the household's whirlwind activities.
Donald
Donald, Rheba’s boyfriend, is characterized by his leisurely existence within the Sycamore household. Despite the social prejudices of the era, he comfortably navigates the family's peculiar environment, offering humorous insights and completing odd jobs with goodwill. Donald's character adds to the warm inclusivity of the Sycamore home.
Mr. De Pinna
Mr. De Pinna, originally the family’s iceman, has since embraced the Sycamore's erratic lifestyle. He aids Paul in fireworks creation and poses for Penny’s paintings, embodying the welcoming nature of the Sycamore home. His presence underscores the family’s acceptance of all individuals, regardless of origin, and adds to the eccentric household's cooperative spirit.
Miriam Kirby
Miriam Kirby, Tony's mother, mirrors her husband’s conventional values and shares his initial shock at the Sycamores' lifestyle. Her reserved demeanor and subtle discontent reveal her own struggles within her traditional role, further underscoring the thematic clash between societal expectations and individual happiness. Her character development throughout the play emphasizes the potential for understanding and change.
Grand Duchess Olga Katrina
The Grand Duchess Olga, a friend of Kolenkhov's, has adjusted to a humbler existence following her royal displacement. Her talent for making blintzes and her presence at the play's conclusion highlight the theme of personal resilience and adaptability. The Grand Duchess’s story suggests the universal capability for reinvention and joy despite changed circumstances.
Henderson
Henderson, the IRS agent, disrupts the Sycamores' harmonious existence with his pursuit of Grandpa Vanderhof's unpaid taxes. His presence highlights the family’s disregard for societal conventions in favor of their own happiness-centric philosophy, contrasting the bureaucratic rigidity with the family’s cheerful nonconformity.
F.B.I. Agents
The arrival of the F.B.I. agents to inquire into Ed Carmichael’s politically themed prints brings unintended tension to the Sycamore household. Their investigation underscores the family's obliviousness to the potential implications of their innocent amusements, adding a comedic element to the play’s unfolding chaos.
Gay Wellington
Gay Wellington, an actress with a penchant for excess, inadvertently intensifies the chaos during the Kirby's visit. Her sporadic awakenings contribute to the comedic disorder, emblematic of the unpredictable nature of the Sycamore household. Her character adds to the farcical elements that punctuate the play.
