When the lights go up on the McPherson High School theater stage, the audience will be transported back to 1936 into the home of the Sycamore family of New York City.

The drama department's production of “You Can't Take It With You” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman begins a three-day run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. As the final major production of the 2006-07 school year, this comedy offers a blend of newly discovered romance, mysterious strangers, quirky characters and farcical situations, such as fireworks in the basement, snakes and printing presses in the living room and visits by the IRS and G-men.

According to Cynthia Marion, MHS drama coach and play director, the play pulls talent from all age levels. Cast in the roles of Alice Sycamore and Tony Kirby, a young couple who fall in love despite opposite family situations and values, are Jamie Fry and Adam Silver, both freshmen. Three senior boys -- Trevor Welch, Matt Cotton and Philip Nye -- are joined by junior Camron Thissen in roles as the G-men.

“I always enjoy having these juniors and seniors, who are often athletes, come out for a part and then say to me, ‘I wish I had done this before,' ” Marion said. “It's great to get them involved. The entire cast members are all learning life skills; some of them learned to wallpaper on this set. I even make the boys sew buttons on their costumes if needed.”

Rounding out the cast list are: Jenny Unruh -- Penny Sycamore, Alice's mother; Andrew Norbert -- Paul Sycamore, Alice's father; Dara Strathman -- Essie, the Sycamore's dancing daughter; Kenyatta Harden -- Rheba, the Sycamore's friend and housekeeper; Eric Goering -- Mr. DePinna, the fireworks inventor; Scott Vancil -- Ed, Essie's husband; Lyle Smith -- Donald, Rheba's boyfriend; Ethan Caldwell -- Martin Vanderhof, grandfather; Eric Schroeder -- Henderson, an Internal Revenue agent; Austin Curtright -- Boris Kolenkhov, a Russian family friend; Toni Jantz -- Fay Wellington, actress; Derek Skinner -- Mr. Kirby, Tony's father; Jody Houchen -- Mrs. Kirby, Tony's mother; and Sabrina Smith -- Ulga Katrina, a Russian friend.

Making the performance come alive is the technical crew: Jordan Bandy -- sound; Nathan Clary -- lights; Rachel Prochaska -- set design; and Stephanie LeBlanc, Skye Johnson, Haylee LeBlanc and Alyssa Daines -- hair and makeup.

After opening night Thursday, the play also will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission will be charged for adults, with a reduced fee charged for students and senior adults. Activity cards will be honored.

The parking lot off First Street should be used for access to the theater.

According to Marion, the drama department also is asking the public to bring donations -- either monetary or items that can be used for troops fighting the war in Iraq -- when they come to the play. Drama students want to do their part in a project adopted by some teachers and classes in the English department.The project began with students writing letters to service men and women; it now has grown to include collections for care package items to be sent to the war zone. Marion said those care packages will be sent as early as next week.