Steven L. Barron to Lead Centenary Stage Company's HARVEY; Cast Announced

Centenary Stage Company has announced the cast of Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize winning comedy, Harvey, running October 3rd through the 19th in the Sitnik Theater located in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College.

One of modern theatre's most lovable characters, Elwood P. Dowd is charming and kind but has only one character flaw: an unwavering friendship with a 6-foot-tall, invisible white rabbit named Harvey. In order to save the family's social reputation, Elwood's sister Veta takes Elwood to the local sanatorium. But when the doctors mistakenly commit his anxiety-ridden sister, Elwood-and Harvey-slip out of the hospital unbothered, setting off a hilarious whirlwind of confusion and chaos as everyone in town tries to catch a man and his invisible rabbit. The question is; does the world need another "normal" chap or more Harveys?

Leading the talented cast in this whimsical heartfelt comedy is "Boardwalk Empire" and CSC veteran Steven L. Barron as Elwood P. Dowd. No stranger to the CSC stage, Barron has spent several seasons entertaining CSC audiences and has performed in numerous Centenary Stage Company productions. As a season regular on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire", Barron has been featured in several episodes of the popular show.

Colleen Smith Wallnau, also returns to tread the broads of the Sitnik Theater as Veta Louise Simmons, Elwood's consternated sister. Colleen was seen in last season's productions of "Deathtrap" and as the Wicked Witch in "The Wizard of Oz". Colleen's extensive credits range from regional to Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. Colleen's one woman show, "Mary Todd: A Woman Apart" garnered critical acclaim and is available for tour. Colleen also played Patricia in the original 1992 Broadway production of "Crazy for You". Colleen is currently on the faculty for The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, where she teaches voice and speech.

Rounding out the diverse cast, another "Boardwalk Empire" and CSC regular, John Little will be playing William R. Chumley M.D. Mr. Little, has been seen in the productions of "Light up the Sky", "Private Lives" and "Springtime for Henry" all for Centenary Stage Company. A regular at the Shakespeare Theater of NJ, having spent eight seasons with them, Mr. Little is coming to CSC hot off of their recent production of "The Devil's Disciple".

Angela Della Ventura returns to CSC to play Betty Chumley, Dr Chumley's endearing wife. Angela previously appeared in the 2006 production of "Poetry of Pizza". Returning after last season's production of David Ives' "The Liar" are Erica Knight as Ruth Kelly R.N. and Christopher J. Young as Lyman Sanderson M.D. Completing the cast are David Scheffler as Judge Omar Gaffney, Deborah Guarino as Mrs. Ethel Chauvinet the society matron, and Centenary College Theatre Department students Tyler Milazzo as Myrtle Mae Simmons, Chris Kolwicz as Duane Wilson, Ernest Scarborough as E.J Lofgren and Lisa Kosak as Miss Johnson.

Directing this production is CSC's own award - winning artistic director, Carl Wallnau. Chosen to beautify the stage of the Sitnik Theatre, once again, with his stunning and life-like set designs is Emmy Award-winning designer Bob Phillips. Resident Light Designer Ed Matthews and Costume Designer Julia Sharp are set to return to CSC and fresh off the NY Fringe Festival is Sound Designer Lee Kinney making his CSC design debut.

Tickets for Harvey range from $25 to $27.50 with discounts for students and seniors. Every Thursday night is "Family Night," which offers a 2-for-1 rush ticket price when purchased at the door. Performance times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are 2 p.m. matinées on Wednesdays October 8th and October 15th and for the Preview Performance on Friday, October 3st. Harvey is sponsored by Bea McNally's Irish Pub.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org, at the CSC Box Office located in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown, or by calling 908-979-0900. The Box Office is open 1-5 PM Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to performance times. CSC also operates a second Box Office during the season at 217 Main Street in Hackettstown open Monday through Friday 3-6 p.m.

The 2014-15 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, and Fulton Bank, Bronze Sponsors The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and Wells Fargo Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

To post a comment, you must register and login.