An Actor's Reflection on "You Can't Take It With You"
As actor Kevin Panaro prepares to take the stage, his mind flashes to things that could go wrong. But months of hard work always pay off when he makes his entrance,
It’s Thursday, November 1, around 6:20 p.m. Ten minutes until showtime.
“You’ve heard me say it before, and you’re going to hear me say it again – in comedy, timing is everything,” said Dr. Corso, to all of us gathered in the Seminar Room. “It’s the difference between a joke landing and awkward silence. Comedy is hard work, but I truly believe this is a cast sent from God, and you will all do great things.”
Flash-forward to about 6:45 p.m., towards the beginning of Act I. As I prepare to go out on stage, reviewing my lines for the last time, I think about everything that could go wrong. What if I say a line too early? Or even worse, what if I freeze up entirely, and stare blankly into the audience? Fortunately for me, I have little time to consider these thoughts of doubt. I hear my cue, make my entrance, and throw caution to the wind.
Playing Martin Vanderhof in “You Can’t Take It with You” was not my first performance, and it certainly will not be my last. As with all productions I am involved in, I learn something new every time. This show is what’s known as an ensemble, meaning there is no lead. There’s no titular star or eponymous character – everyone plays an integral role to the story.
“You’ve heard me say it before, and you’re going to hear me say it again – in comedy, timing is everything,” said Dr. Corso, to all of us gathered in the Seminar Room. “It’s the difference between a joke landing and awkward silence. Comedy is hard work, but I truly believe this is a cast sent from God, and you will all do great things.”
Flash-forward to about 6:45 p.m., towards the beginning of Act I. As I prepare to go out on stage, reviewing my lines for the last time, I think about everything that could go wrong. What if I say a line too early? Or even worse, what if I freeze up entirely, and stare blankly into the audience? Fortunately for me, I have little time to consider these thoughts of doubt. I hear my cue, make my entrance, and throw caution to the wind.
Playing Martin Vanderhof in “You Can’t Take It with You” was not my first performance, and it certainly will not be my last. As with all productions I am involved in, I learn something new every time. This show is what’s known as an ensemble, meaning there is no lead. There’s no titular star or eponymous character – everyone plays an integral role to the story.
While this means that all the actors have a chance to shine, if even one person forgets their cue, it could spell disaster. This was made especially difficult in that the show was cast, rehearsals were held, and it was performed in less than two months. In truth, we were all worried the show could go horribly wrong. However, if you’re not nervous, you’re not alive.
Theater is not something that can be perfected. It takes time to learn your cues, to develop synergy between the actors, and have confidence in the show. A lot of time. But you don’t have forever – you must do the best with what you have.
As a director, Dr. Corso taught all of us not only how to seize every moment, but also how to thrive. By the time opening night rolled around, everyone knew how to keep the pulse of a scene going. We rose to the challenge and never let the energy levels drop.
This required hard work – rehearsals every day after school from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m., running scenes, last minute blocking changes, reviewing lines until they were burned into our brains. However, the payoff was certainly worth it: a glowing reception from CM faculty and students alike.
If I had to summarize one takeaway from this show, it would be to go for it. The stars never align perfectly, and there are always a million reasons not to do something. Do not be reckless, however fear should never be an inhibition. As in theater, and as in life, something will invariably go wrong, no matter how much you prepare. But sometimes, you just have to toss your script down on ground and take the stage.
Theater is not something that can be perfected. It takes time to learn your cues, to develop synergy between the actors, and have confidence in the show. A lot of time. But you don’t have forever – you must do the best with what you have.
As a director, Dr. Corso taught all of us not only how to seize every moment, but also how to thrive. By the time opening night rolled around, everyone knew how to keep the pulse of a scene going. We rose to the challenge and never let the energy levels drop.
This required hard work – rehearsals every day after school from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m., running scenes, last minute blocking changes, reviewing lines until they were burned into our brains. However, the payoff was certainly worth it: a glowing reception from CM faculty and students alike.
If I had to summarize one takeaway from this show, it would be to go for it. The stars never align perfectly, and there are always a million reasons not to do something. Do not be reckless, however fear should never be an inhibition. As in theater, and as in life, something will invariably go wrong, no matter how much you prepare. But sometimes, you just have to toss your script down on ground and take the stage.
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