The Beijing Playhouse is being sponsored by the US embassy for its next production - a classic play that reminds us of what is really important in life.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play You Can't Take it With You is set in 1930s New York and spreads a moral lesson in this age of consumerism as it tells the story of two families and their struggles to find happiness.

The comedy penned by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart was first seen in 1936 and includes a love story between two people from very different economic backgrounds.

"This is the first time the US embassy has sponsored us and they sponsored us because they like the performing arts," said Chris Verill, executive director of the Beijing Playhouse and an actor in the show.

"The message of this show, is one that teaches people that there are more important things in life than money."

The production will be the 10th offering from the Beijing Playhouse, the largest English theatre group in China.

With its multinational cast and crew, the Beijing Playhouse strives to bring an authentic Western theater model to China by performing famous shows such as Guys and Dolls, I Do! I Do, and A Christmas Carol.

Like previous shows from the Playhouse, the play will be performed in English with subtitles.

David Peck, a seasoned theater veteran, is making his directorial debut in Beijing.

"It's a play that has pleased audiences now for 70 years," said Peck. "The nice thing in Beijing is that we can take a play that we know is fantastic but no one has seen it yet, it's not like if we do Shakespeare then maybe you've already seen Romeo and Juliet four times or you've already seen Hamlet two or three times, but no one has seen You Can't Take It With You, and it's terrific."

The play will begin its 13-show run on Sept 3 and end on Sept 19. Tickets will be available during the week of Aug 22 at a reduced price of 260 yuan.

They will sell for 300 yuan on the day of the performance. Tickets for children will be half price. The play will be performed in the theater at the Beijing Yew Chung International School.