At least two of the actors were performing for the first time in a grand scale play: Steve Tucker, of Granny's Helper, and Anna Marie Finnigan, an administrative assistant at Campbell University. Both played their roles with great humor and skill. Steve Tucker is pictured. Melodie Elaine Estes

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Terry Townsend is shown in her role as Penny Sycamore with her acting teacher played by Cindy Verian, owner of Stars Theater. Melodie Elaine Estes

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Last Friday and Saturday the Stars Theater presented “You Can’t Take It With You,” by Moss Hart and George Kaufman. The stellar acting of the mostly local actors was quite entertaining and funny. The set was colorful and interesting with just the right number of doors for a steady parade of interesting and humorous characters. An unusual family led by Grandpa, (Paul Yosin), whose loving and wacky sense of humor, added to his grandfather wisdom had earned him the love and respect of his family. He accepted everyone for who they were and encouraged them to do what they loved to do, instead of what they had been forced to do by others. He also had a funny way of getting out of paying income taxes owed from the last several years.

There was a great chemistry between the actors and one could tell that their many hours of rehearsals under the guidance of director Toni Segool had produced a quality, highly entertaining experience for the audience. Penny Sycamore (Terry Townsend) and Paul Sycamore (Gary Watts) were the parents of two daughters: Essie, (Shelby Winter), a “questionably” up and coming ballerina, married to Ed Carmichael (Mike Rumble), and Alice Sycamore (Sarah Milowic) who falls in love with the boss’s son, Tony Kirby (Michael Verian). Pandemonium ensues when Tony invites his wealthy parents to the “humble abode” of the Sycamores on the wrong night. At least two of the actors were performing for the first time in a grand scale play: Steve Tucker, of Granny’s Helper, and Anna Marie Finnigan, an administrative assistant at Campbell University. Both played their roles with great humor and skill. Many of the other actors had either directed or been in other plays and were delightful as a Russian ballet instructor, a Russian Grand Duchess - now restaurant worker, a tax collector, and the wealthy parents of Alice’s boyfriend.

You might not want to miss the next Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Play: “If Momma Ain’t Happy” coming on May 18 and 19. Check the Star Theater site www.StarsTheaterAnd Art.com for future plays and events.