HARVEY
BY MARY CHASE
Directed by Sam Martinez
Heartfelt Comedy | Audience Rating: 10+ years
AUDITIONS:
February 10 & 11, 2025 from 7 - 9 pm
SYNOPSIS:
Elwood P. Dowd insists on including his friend Harvey in all of his sister Veta’s social gatherings. Trouble is, Harvey is an imaginary six-and-a-half-foot-tall rabbit. To avoid future embarrassment for her family—and especially for her daughter, Myrtle Mae—Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. At the
sanitarium, a frantic Veta explains to the staff that her years of living with Elwood’s hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also, and so the doctors mistakenly commit her instead of her mild-mannered brother. The truth comes out, however; Veta is freed, and the search is on for Elwood, who eventually arrives at the sanitarium of his own volition, looking for Harvey. But it seems that Elwood and his invisible companion have had a strange influence on more than one of the doctors. Only at the end does Veta realize that maybe Harvey isn’t so bad after all.
CASTING REQUIREMENTS
Male Roles:
Elwood P. Dowd (35-55 years) - The central character of the play, a charming eccentric whose best friend is Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit. Elwood is well mannered, very friendly, and has “old-school gentleman charm”. Elwood is Veta’s older brother (age difference shouldn't be dramatic).
Dr. William B. Chumley (50-80 years) - An esteemed psychiatrist and the head of Chumley’s Rest with years of experience. He is a difficult, exacting man who will go to any length to protect the reputation of his sanitarium.
Dr. Lyman Sanderson (Age 25-35) - A young and highly qualified psychiatrist, handpicked by Dr. Chumley. His talent is only surpassed by his vanity. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly as she is with him, though he struggles not to let on.
Wilson ( 25-50 years) - Wilson is the muscle of Chumley’s Rest, a devoted orderly responsible for handling the patients who will not cooperate voluntarily. He sets his site on Myrtle Mae Simmons soon after meeting her.
Judge Omar Gaffney (45-80 years) - An old family friend of the Dowd’s and the family’s lawyer. He is fiercely protective of the family and surprisingly understanding of Elwood’s belief in Harvey.
E. J. Lofgren (18-80 years) - A cab driver whose monologue about sanitarium passengers is crucial to the climax of the play. Seen in Act 3 only.
Female Roles:
Veta Louise Simmons (35-55 years) - Elwood’s younger sister, Veta has returned to the family home after the death of her mother and is intent on landing a suitable husband for her daughter Myrtle Mae. She is very concerned about fitting into society, but she loves her older brother Elwood very much. This is the dynamic that drives the action of the play.
Ruth Kelly (18-35 years) - Nurse Kelly is a sympathetic character, a pretty young woman who has a love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson. She is sweet and kind and looks for the best in people.
Myrtle Mae Simmons (18-30 years) - Veta’s daughter; extremely self centered. Both Veta and Myrtle are about the business of finding Myrtle a man to marry - a mission that is made impossible with Elwood and Harvey constantly popping in.
Ethel Chauvenet (50-80 years) - Mrs. Chauvenet is an old friend of the family. She is an elite member of the town’s
social circle that Veta desperately wants Myrtle to break into. Seen in Act 1 only; may double as Betty
Chumley.
Betty Chumley (50-80 years) - Dr. Chumley’s kind and talkative wife. Seen in Act 2 only; may double as Mrs. Chauvenet.
Miss Johnson/Maid (18-80 years) - Veta and Elwood’s maid. She sees more than she says. Seen in Act 1 only.
PERFORMANCES:
Performances run from March 28 - April 13, 2025
Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sunday Matinees at 2:30 pm and Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 pm
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals are typically three times per week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9:30 pm, with possibly 1-2 Sunday rehearsals. Tech week is scheduled every day from Sunday - Thursday leading up to Opening Night.