HARVEY to Launch New Season at A.D. Players

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, presents "Harvey," as its first mainstage show of 2017 - 2018, running September 8 through October 1.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase, "Harvey" is a 6'6" rabbit who is very real to Elwood P. Dowd but invisible to Elwood's sister Veta and almost everyone else. Harvey's presence -believed or denied - powerfully impacts every character in this delightful story that Chase called "a miracle play told as a farce."

"We're so happy to bring 'Harvey' to our mainstage - a story that has entertained audiences from the stage to film to television for 70-plus years," said Jake Speck, Executive Director, A.D. Players. "This lighthearted tale is proof that mysterious and fantastical things can happen, if you are open to them. We invite Houstonians of all ages to experience the magic of 'Harvey' here at the Jeannette and L.M. George Theater."

"Harvey" is directed by Julia Traber, a resident artist with Houston-based Classical Theater Company (CTC). In addition to performing in a number of critically acclaimed productions, Traber has also directing shows at CTC including "All Girls," "Almost Maine," "Greater Tuna," and "Angel Street," to name a few. She is a guest lecturer and visiting director for Rice University's Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts, and a member of the performing arts faculty at St. Francis Episcopal Day School. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Houston.

Of the Harvey cast, Patty Tuel Bailey (Veta Louise Simmons), Kevin Dean (Elwood P. Dowd), Craig Griffin (William R. Chumley, M.D.), Ric Hodgin (Judge Omar Gaffney) and Chip Simmons (E. J. Lonfgren) are all members of A.D. Players' resident acting company.

Additional cast mates include frequent A.D. Players' guest artist Jeff McMorrough (Duane Wilson) who most recently played Boo Radley in "To Kill A Mockingbird," guest artist Marcy Bannor (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet) who also performed in "To Kill A Mockingbird," and guest artist Elizabeth Black (Betty Chumley) who performed with A. D. Players in "You Can't Take It With You."

Talented guest artists David Matranga (Lyman Sanderson, M. D.), Bree Welch (Ruth Kelly, R. N.) and Skyler Sinclair (Myrtle Mae Simmons) will each make their debut on A.D. Players' stage in "Harvey".

The production team for Harvey is a who's who of Houston designers, including set designer Ryan McGettigan, lighting designer J. Mitchell Cronin, costume designer Macy Lyne and Sound Designer Jon Harvey.

The Jeannette and L.M. George Theater is located at 5420 Westheimer. Tickets to "Harvey" can be purchased here or by calling the George Theater Box Office at 713.526.2721. Tickets range from $20 - $70.

A.D. Players' 2017-2018 Main Stage theater season includes productions of Barbara Robinson's delightful "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" from the young adult novel by the same name; "Best of Enemies," a true story of the unlikely relationship forged between a Ku Klux Klan leader and a civil rights activist; "Lilies of the Field," the story of a traveling handyman convinced to build a chapel for a small band of immigrant nuns; and "God's Favorite," Neil Simon's hilarious, contemporary comedy reimagining the biblical man of woe, Job. The Players will also host the national touring production "Martin Luther on Trial" by New York City-based Fellowship for Performing Arts October 19 - 29. Children's Theater productions for 2017-2018 include "Balloonacy", "Rock Nativity", "A Wrinkle in Time" and "David, the Best Slinger in the West". Season tickets are now available for purchase.

The A. D. Players was founded in 1967 by Jeannette Clift George and is led by Executive Director Jake Speck, former managing director of Nashville's Studio Tenn. A.D. Players has pioneered a unique style of theater committed to producing plays and programs that uphold human value, celebrate creativity, and promote literacy and education. The company is one of Houston's largest resident theater companies, impacting more than nine million people over its lifetime. Annually, the company produces a full season of Mainstage and Children's Theater performances, fields a Regional Touring Unit, and maintains a year-round Theater Arts Academy. A. D. Players became an Actors' Equity Association (AEA) theater in 2017 and is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For more information, visit www.adplayers.org or follow them on Facebook.

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