I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme is open-ended. My goal is to write daily posts using each letter of the alphabet in April (Sundays off for good behavior and to make it work for the alphabet). I’ll be writing family stories, memoir or journal prompts, reviews about theatre and food, maybe a visit from my sock puppet characters Millie and Willie, and using photos I’ve taken along the way. Enjoy!
I’m using the letter O for Outstanding theatre and my review of Harvey at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. I am a theatre reviewer in the twin cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and of local productions in the Brainerd lakes area. On Sunday, April 17, I had the pleasure of attending the sweet, family comedy, Harvey, about a man named Elwood P. Dowd whose best friend is an invisible large, white rabbit. Harvey reveals himself only to those who have special eyes.
David Kelly (Elwood P. Dowd), Sally Wingert (Veta Louise Simmons), Ryan Shams (Dr. Sanderson), Steve Hendrickson (Dr. Chumley), Sun Mee Chomet (Myrtle Mae Simmons) and Michael J. Hume (Judge Omar Gaffney) in the Guthrie Theater’s production of Harvey, by Mary Chase and directed by Libby Appel. Scenic design by William Bloodgood, costume design by Deborah M. Dryden, lighting design by Xavier Pierce. April 9 – May 15, 2016 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
Quote of the Day: Einstein discovered how to stop space and time. Harvey stops the barriers. Elwood P. Dowd, Harvey’s best friend, who helps him experience another dimension of time and space, to escape, and yet to be present. That’s how I feel when I’m in the theatre, sitting there experiencing the show, taken into a different time and space, and yet, present. Harvey is an extension of our reality.
The playwright, Mary Chase, wrote Harvey during World War II when people all around her were suffering, experiencing great loss. The heaviness in their hearts filled the streets, and sucked the air out of their lungs. She wanted to write something that would provide escape, levity, and bring back the smiles to her friends and neighbors. Harvey was born in a half-sleep/half-waking moment when she saw the white rabbit, a psychologist, and a vision of the plot early one morning. Two years later, November 1944, the show opened on Broadway, playing 1,775 performances before it closed four years later. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1945. With its well drawn characters, whimsical imaginary friend, and clever writing, this is a show you can bring the kids and grandma to, where everyone finds a connection, something that gives them a chuckle, and a few moments of worry and wonder. I laughed. I cried. I sighed. And, I saw him. That mythical pooka named Harvey. Maybe I do have special eyes.
Myrtle Mae Simmons (Sun Mee Chomet), Veta Louise Simmons (Sally Wingert), Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet (Greta Ogelsby) and Elwood P. Dowd (David Kelly). Photo by T. Charles Erickson
In the discussion after the show, several of the actors came out to answer questions and talk about being in Harvey. Ansa Akyea, who plays the taxi cab driver E.J. Lofgren, said that he spends most of the play listening to the rhythm of the show. His character doesn’t come on until near the end of the show. And, as he’s sitting backstage, he describes this comedic piece, “It’s like music, with a rhythm, you almost hear a 1-2-3-4 beat.” What a great way to describe comedic timing, and the cadence of the show, the dance of words, action, delivery, and imagination. I wondered if the audience threw the rhythm off, or enhanced it. Does an extra big laugh seem like the fermata, the hold for dramatic pause, in a musical score?
You have the chance to see Harvey on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN through May 15, 2016, but only if you have special eyes.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Have you ever been in a production of Harvey, or seen one? It is a widely produced play. Do you know what a pooka is? Do you have, or have you ever had, an imaginary friend?
We saw Harvey many years ago at our local college back in ND. We took our kids and they loved it! I think our daughter, Leigh, was about 3yrs old and for days she pretended she had special eyes!
That is so cool, Jeannine! The Guthrie puts on a fine show. David Kelly plays a charming Elwood P. Dowd, “Here’s my card.”
Is this the same Harvey as the Jimmy Stuart movie? If it is I love that movie and own the classic. Sounds like you had a good time.
Yes, Juneta Jimmy Stuart played Elwood in the movie. I need to get it. I’ve never seen the movie.
Looks amazing. And great review! I have never seen it but would be interested.
Teresa
I hope you can get to a live performance of this some time, Teresa! I just loved it. I’d go again in a heartbeat, and bring my boys this time.
Harvey was such a good movie. Never seen it as a play, but I bet it would be a fun one to watch!
It’s a great one to watch, live. And, I’ve never seen the movie!
The movie is lovely, but the play immerses you into the story in a totally unique way. I often feel like Edwin P. Dowd!
Me, too, Roland.
I’ve never seen the stage production, but I do remember the movie from the fifties.