Director Phil Royer Brings Classic Comedy and Modern Message to Decorah Stage

Every dollar helps Decorah News chase down the truth on Water Street, not just headlines. Give today. DECORAH — A classic comedy about family, values and the pursuit of happiness is taking the stage in Decorah, as director Phil Royer brings a fresh perspective to "You Can't Take It With You" with New Minowa Players. In an interview with DecorahNews.com, Royer described the 1936 play, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, as a story centered on the eccentric Vanderhof-Sycamore family, whose members reject conventional societal expectations in favor of doing what brings them personal joy. The plot takes a turn when one of the daughters falls in love with the son of the wealthy, more conventional Kirby family. When the two families meet for dinner, their different values collide. "Their personalities clash, and we look at what truly matters in life and what is really the most important thing when it comes to happiness," Royer said. Royer said he decided to direct the play now because of its relevance to modern life, particularly in an era shaped by social media and constant online influence. "One of the biggest problems we have nowadays is modern culture in the sense that everything is online, and everything's telling you how you should look, how you should act, what job you should have, how much you should be making," he said. He added that he does not believe following those expectations guarantees fulfillment. "I don't think following societal norms means that you're going to be happy all the time," Royer said. "I just love the thought of people choosing to forego societal norms and just doing what they want and what makes them happy." Royer said he hopes audiences will take away a personal message from the performance, rather than being guided toward a single interpretation. "I want to leave the whole show a surprise for people so that they can come in and take away something from the show that's unique to themselves," he said. The show will run: April 9, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. April 10, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. April 11, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. April 12, 2026 — 2:00 p.m. Tickets and more information about the show are available here. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.