GREENFIELD — Senior Paige Rutledge promises there will be fireworks at this weekend’s production of “You Can’t Take It With You” at Greenfield-Central High School.

“There’s also a rocket, which is pretty cool,” said Rutledge, 17, who is tasked with conjuring up the play’s special effect sounds as the production’s head sound technician.

Paige said the cast and crew are excited to bring the classic romantic comedy to the high school stage this weekend, with performances Nov. 18-20 — at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

“This is probably one of the best shows I’ve ever done,” said senior Taylor Shelton, 18, who plays Alice Sycamore, the female lead in the play.

“It’s really funny and the cast is awesome,” said fellow senior Trey Smith, who plays her love interest, Tony Kirby.

The story centers around the mayhem that ensues after well-to-do Tony falls for Alice, whose family, the Sycamores, care more about each other than they do money. Tony, a Wall Street banker, is unaware that his father is trying to force the family from their home for real estate development.

Greenfield-Central’s drama director Carolyn Voigt said she’s wanted to produce “You Can’t Take It With You” ever since she first read the script in college.

“The play showcases a wide array of fun and quirky characters, which I thought would be a good fit for our program,” said Voigt, who thinks the script’s underlying themes of family ties and supporting those you love will appeal to Greenfield audiences.

Set in the 1930s, “You Can’t Take It With You” first premiered as a Broadway play in 1936 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the following year. It was soon adapted into an award-winning motion picture which garnered two Academy Awards in 1939, including Best Picture and a Best Directing award for Frank Capra.

The film starred Jean Arthur as Alice and James Stewart as Tony.

Paige, the sound technician for Greenfield-Central’s production, said it’s been a lot of fun coming up with the sounds to enhance all the hi-jinks that take place on stage.

“I get to control the sound, which is really fun,” said the 17-year-old senior, who is happier working behind the scenes than she is on stage.

“I was on stage through Hancock County Children’s Theater in middle school, but all through high school I’ve been in the (control) booth. I like the tech aspect a lot more. I found my people in the booth,” she said.

Fellow senior Ashley Ellison, 17, the production’s head lighting technician, said she’s also most comfortable working behind the scenes.

“You’re not on stage but you play a huge part,” said Ashley, who plans to study broadcasting in college.

“To me it’s more rewarding because you can watch your work take place on stage, whereas the actors can’t do that, so it’s really fun,” she said.

Taylor, who plays the lead role of Alice, said she’s unexpectedly found her voice on stage.

“I did Hancock County Children’s Theater and started doing (high school) drama my freshman year, and it’s really helped me find my people,” said Taylor. “I’m very shy, so it’s hard for me to talk to people, but on stage is where I find I can play a character and just let loose,” she said.

This weekend’s play is Greenfield-Central’s first production of the year.

In January students will present “A Night of One Acts,” a series of three student-directed, one-act comedic plays. The students return to stage the first weekend of May when they perform the hit musical “Mamma Mia!”

For more information or for tickets to this weekend’s production, visit GCdrama.org.

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