Photo Flash: DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre Opens HARVEY

The 1944 Pulitzer Prize winning play Harvey by Mary Chase returns to the DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre stage tonight, August 9th through the 18th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Harvey introduces the audience to Elwood P. Dowd, a jovial man with a rather unusual companion. The unwelcomed presence of Elwood's "guest" drives his eccentric sister, Veta, to commit her brother to a sanitarium under the care of the prestigious psychologist William R. Chumley, M.D.. Veta's plan, however, does not go by design. A comical series of events unfolds entertaining the audience with everything from role reversal to romantic entanglements, both expected and unexpected.

The show's humorous tale is played out by a dynamic cast of York County locals. We are first introduced to Myrtle Mae Simmons (Taylor Litke, 15, Dallastown) and her mother, Veta Louise (Lisa Welch-Sweeney, 49, Thomasville), as they attempt to host a program tea while Myrtle's uncle Elwood (Jim Tyson, 52, Dallastown) is occupied at the firehouse playing pinochle. Later in the show, the stage is set for the lovely Ruth Kelly, R.N. (Sydney Thro, 24, Wrightsville), her esteemed employer, Dr. Chumley (Rick Osborn, 54, York), and his dutiful assistant Lyman Sanderson, M.D. (Andrew Tucker, 24, Hanover). The remaining cast is rounded out with Calvin Emery (25, York), Tara Fitz (13, Dover), Jim Litke (51, Dallastown), Kevin Mikula (42, Red Lion), Gina Wagner (46, York) in her debut performance, and Michaela Wagner (15, York).

The production is directed by Thaddaeus Fillmore. A DreamWrights founding member and long-time veteran of the DreamWrights stage, Fillmore takes on this classic as his DreamWrights directing debut. "Acting has always been a great deal of fun, but directing gives me an opportunity to shape the look and feel of a show in a much broader way than playing a single character allows me," stated an enthused Fillmore. The innovative Set designed by Ray Olewiler has been brought to reality by Technical Director Scott Bitzer. The set's main showpiece is a "swinging" wall which allows the set to transform between locations in short order. The Costume Design is by Deb Thro, Lighting Design by Tony Fogle, Props by Shayla Conley, and Stage Management by Caity Dettinger, Tara Fitz, Tanner Uffelman, and Aidan Mikula.

Harvey is a Pulitzer Prize winning script written by Mary Chase in 1944. The show's dry wit and fast paced humor, laced with some minor sexual references, while suitable for all ages, may pass over a younger audience's head.

The production runs August 8, 9, 16, and 17 at 6:30 and August 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 2:30. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $12 for reserved seating, and may be purchased online at www.dreamwrights.org, or by calling 717-848-8623.

DreamWrights, now in its 16th year, is the region's non-profit, family-oriented, community theatre in which people of all ages can come together to learn and grow in a safe, supportive and positive environment. DreamWrights is located at 100 Carlisle Ave., York, and more information can be found at www.dreamwrights.org, www.facebook.com/pages/DreamWrights-Youth-and-Family-Theatre, or by calling 717-848-8623.

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