''Harvey'' by Mary Chase

Description

The Albright Theatre opens 40th Anniversary Season with Mary Chase's "Harvey"! Elwood P. Dowd isan endlessly kind but odd man, whose best friend happens to be a rascally, six and a half foot rabbit named Harvey. To Elwood’s Sister, Veta, Harvey spells social death for her and for her daughter.Veta hits her breaking point when Harvey and Elwood embarrass her at a social event and comes to the conclusion that Elwood requires psychiatric help. While trying to commit Elwood to Chumley’s RestSanitarium, the doctors begin to wonder if Veta might be the crazy one and commit her instead. Meanwhile, Elwood slips away after beguiling the sanitarium staff, resulting in a chaotic race to locate Elwood and his mischievous friend. Jim Oberg of Batavia brings the lovable and eccentric ElwoodP. Dowd to the stage. Elwood shares his home with his overbearing sister, Veta Louise Simmons (Kristen Duerdoth of Geneva), his Niece Myrtle Mae Simmons (Lisa Duchek of Batavia) and is best friend, Harvey (played by himself and hailing from Elwood’s wildest imagination….or DOES he???). Doctors Chumley (Bill Boggs of Elmhurst) and Sanderson (Alexander Seymour of Aurora) tend to Dowd (and Veta!) atChumley’s Rest Sanitarium, and are assisted by the lovely Nurse Kelly (Nicolette Pollack of Batavia); Wilson, the odd, yet loyal, orderly (Jeff Pripusich of N. Aurora) and Dowd family friend, JudgeGaffney (Regis Snyder of Batavia). Add the bizarre Mrs. Chauvenet (Renee Merrill of Elgin); Dr. Chumley’s better half, Mrs. Betty Chumley (Amy Setencich of Batavia); the disinterested maid, Miss Johnson (Lauren Byckowski of St. Charles) and a rather disagreeable Cab Driver (Michael Gustin of Batavia) to the mix and you may begin to believe that everyone is just a little nutty! The cast is supported by Director, Jeff Small (Elgin); Stage Manager, Erin Cauley (St. Charles) and Producer, JeannineCollins (Carol Stream). Director, Jeff Small, has experienced “Harvey” as an actor on several occasions and is pleased to be taking the helm on his fourth production: “This is the best ‘Harvey’ cast that I have ever worked with. The comic timing is brilliant. Mary Chase would have been proud.” “Harvey” will run weekends September 6 – 21. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Rated PG. The Albright Theatre Company, 100 N. Island Ave. (3rd floor of the Batavia Government Building), Batavia, IL, 60510. Tickets are $15 for Adults & $12 for Students/Seniors.Reservations are recommended – please call (630) 406-8838. For more information, please visit the Albright Theatre website at www.albrighttheatre.com. NEW FOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON!! The Albright Theatre Company is proud to partner with Aliano's Ristorante in Batavia (www.alianosbatavia.com) to offer a selection of wine & beer for purchase before the show and at intermission forFriday and Saturday evening performances.