New Harmony Theatre, the Tri-State's only professional Equity theatre, continues its 2009 season with Mary C. Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, "Harvey." The production, directed by Lenny Leibowitz, runs July 10 - 26, 2009, at New Harmony's Murphy Auditorium.
"Harvey" premiered on Broadway in 1944 and ran for 1,775 performances to great critical and audience acclaim. According to Chase, "Harvey" was her attempt to get American audiences laughing again during World War II. Despite its early popularity, the play has been rarely produced on the professional stage in recent years. Amy Estes, New Harmony Theatre's managing director, said that she and Leibowitz felt it was the right time to re-visit the comedy. "Since we announced ‘Harvey' as part of our 2009 season, I have noticed that other regional theatres around the country are producing it in the coming year. We may have started a trend."
The play's leading man, Elwood P. Dowd, is a lovable lush whose best friend is Harvey, a six-foot rabbit who is invisible to everyone but Elwood. Veta, Elwood's high-strung sister, is at her wit's end with Elwood's shenanigans and the havoc Harvey has wreaked on her social life. When Veta decides to have Elwood committed, Harvey - a mischievous but benevolent prankster - intercedes. From there, the comedy escalates and questions about who should be really committed abound.
According to Leibowitz, "'Harvey' shimmers with madcap humor and genuine charm.
Mary Chase's play is a flawless act of sympathetic imagination...that reminds us to make room in the world for people who see things differently. ‘Harvey' encourages us to celebrate the oddball eccentrics who inspire us to pursue our most high-flying dreams with ardor."
In addition to directing the production, Leibowitz will perform the role of the taxi driver who appears at the end of the play. The cast also includes Broadway veterans
Verna Pierce as Veta,
Billy Vitelli as Dr. Chumley, and Bob Ader as Judge Gaffney; New York actors Nick Basta as Elwood,
Ruth Hastings as Mrs. Chauvenet and Mrs. Chumley,
Liz Holtan as Myrtle,
Kate Russell as Nurse Kelly, and Eric Storjohann as Wilson; and newcomers Corey Warren as Dr. Sanderson and Jasmine Ruckriegel as the maid.
New York-based scenic designer Tijana Bjelajac returns to New Harmony Theatre for a third season to design the scenery for "Harvey." Shan Jensen will design the costumes; Sean Nicholl will design the lighting; and Robert Dagit will design the sound.
"Harvey" plays at Murphy Auditorium at 419 Tavern Street in New Harmony. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors (60 and over), and $10 for anyone 25 or younger. Show times are as follows: Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 812/682-3115 or toll free at 1-877-NHT-SHOW (648-7469), or visit the theatre's web site at
www.newharmonytheatre.com.
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