HARVEY Opens at Contra Costa Civic Theatre September 18th

Contra Costa Civic Theatre opens its 50th season on Friday, September 18, with Mary Chase's Harvey. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play helped to launch CCCT in 1960, when it starred cofounder Louis Flynn. The current production is directed by Flynn's daughter, Kathleen Ray, and produced by Amy Nielson and Maureen Ray. Tom Reardon is featured as Elwood P. Dowd, whose best friend is Harvey, an imaginary six-and-a-half foot white rabbit.

Elwood lives with his sister, Veta Louise Simmons (Maureen-Theresa Williams) and her daughter Myrtle Mae (Liz Caffrey). After Elwood disrupts one of Veta's social-climbing parties and introduces Harvey to his aunt, Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet (Nathalie Archangel) and other guests, Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. After Dr. Lyman Sanderson (Greg Milholland) interviews her, he thinks it's she who is to be committed. When Dr. William R. Chumley (Ken Ray) sets things straight, chaos ensues because orderly Duane Wilson (Billy Raphael) has forcefully restrained Veta, leading her to consult Judge Omar P. Gaffney (Phil Reed). Other cast members in this heartwarming comedy include Liz Olds as Nurse Kelly and Chris Harper as E. J. Lofgren. Everyone involved finally realizes that Elwood's delusion has had an amazing effect on them. Stage manager for Harvey is Matt Decker, Matt Flynn is set designer, costumer is Anida Weyl, props are by Alan Spector, Adam Fry is lighting designer, and Travis Rexroth is sound designer.

Harvey plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through October 11. Tickets are $11 for 16 and under and $18 for adults and may be ordered at www.ccct.org or by calling 510-524-9132. Special half-prIce Tickets are available September 18, 19, and 25 ONLY and must be purchased online. Based on availability, $11 student rush tickets can be purchased at the theatre 10 minutes before the performance with valid student ID and may not be reserved in advance. CCCT is located at 951 Pomona Avenue (at Moeser) with free parking in an adjacent lot.