HARVEY to Run 4/25-5/11 at Theatre Memphis

Harvey, a time-honored classic comedy, opens April 25, 2014 and runs through May 11, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. The lead character, Elwood P. Dowd, is inseparable from his best friend and confidant, Harvey, an over six-foot magical white rabbit. Only Elwood can see Harvey so is it any wonder Elwood's family decides a peaceful sanatorium might be suitable for him - and Harvey? As it turns out, a sanatorium is the perfect place for a comedy of errors that proves Elwood and Harvey may be the sanest characters around.

Director John Rone has assembled a cast that includes many Theatre Memphis veterans and TM newcomer, Zach Pless in the lead role of Elwood. Pless, a recent graduate of Rhodes College, has performed in various roles during his time at Rhodes College in the McCoy Theatre and is now taking on Memphis community stage roles to the delight of Rone. "I think Zach is a remarkably gifted young actor, " Rone says. " Since I work at Rhodes, I try to attend all the productions at the McCoy Theatre on campus. I noticed Zach in a small role in McCoy's production of The Elephant Man when he was a first year student. I have enjoyed watching his progress through larger and more important roles during his college years." Evidence of his growth is that Pless was awarded the top honors for Actor in a Leading Role, College Division (for his role as the Baker in Into the Woods) at the 2013 Ostranders (Memphis Theatre Awards). The remainder of the cast includes: Ann G. Sharp, Robbie Phillips, John Reynolds, Jo Lynne Palmer, Parker Dinwiddie, Jason Spitzer, Brian Everson, Lena Wallace, Jillian Barron and Chris Tracy.

Theatre Memphis Executive Director Debbie Litch muses, "I think it is so great to be able to present such a quirky, funny classic show. Harvey is so accessible to all ages and we love our family friendly shows. So many times our patrons just want to be entertained and not challenged ... well, I challenge anyone to not like Harvey." Rone agrees, "There are some serious themes woven throughout the play and I thought at first I would want to bring those to the forefront. But during rehearsal I realized that all I really wanted to do was to make the show as funny as possible and try my best to realize the vision of the playwright, Mary Chase."