Harvey is six-foot-one, a white rabbit, best friends with Elwood Dowd, and most importantly–imaginary! Written by Mary Chase in 1944, Harvey is a feel-good comedy and the UC Theater Department’s newest production.
In the beginning of the production Elwood, played by Levi Fritz ‘26, is going to be committed to a sanitarium by his sister because of his embarrassing behavior. However, due to a mix up, his sister gets committed instead. Despite the intense situation, to its core this production is a comedy. As Fritz explained “Elwood is a very contrasting role to everyone in this play. Everyone in the play is freaking out [and] working hard to fix a mistake, get Elwood committed, find him, or some other anxiety-inducing reason. But Elwood is just a force of calm and unapologetic happiness throughout the play.”
Although his name is the title of the production, Harvey is never seen on stage. Having an imaginary scene partner is a major feat, but Fritz has worked hard to embody Elwood and Harvey. “It is a very big acting challenge, it is something I’ve had to really stretch my brain to be able to work with on stage. Concerningly deep into the play I’ve finally figured out how to manage an invisible person on stage. I’m basically acting for two characters because I have to act for myself but I also have to pantomime the movements for someone no one can see,” says Fritz.
As the audience, we are witnesses to the unusual and hilarious situation they are going through. Calista Baechtold ‘26 plays Betty Chumley, the wife of Dr. William Chumley, and explains, “[As the audience] we know stuff is weird but the characters are acting completely serious as if it’s stuff that happens all the time.” Despite being observers to the story, the set design is meant to immerse you in the production. Baechtold continues, “it feels like you’re in it with them. Even though you’re in the audience the set is set up in such a way that you feel like you’re in the room with them.”
The audience will also meet characters like Dr. Sanderson, who is the second head of the sanitarium and played by Landon Conrad ‘28. Sanderson is a very clinical character and approaches problems in a very logical way; this stands out against the more whimsical nature of Elwood. As Conrad describes, Elwood is someone who “does not let the negativity of the world get to him. A huge part of his character is that he is just so constantly in the moment and that he sincerely enjoys the time he gets to spend with those around him. And I think that a lot of us can learn something from him. Taking in the moment and enjoying what you can instead of letting the world bog you down.” Despite the production being written nearly eighty years ago, this touching message resonates with audiences today. As for the origin of Harvey, Fritz explained: “The playwright, Mary Chase, wrote this during war time and she cited an inspiration of this woman she saw just about everyday that was visibly brought down by the effects of the war and she wanted to write a story that would introduce happiness and make someone like that, her neighbor, smile.”
Not only will this play be fun for the audience, it is also fun for the actors in the production. Keelyn Fitzgerald ‘27 says that the best part of doing a comedy is that there is “a lot of freedom to do not just what you think will make people laugh but also what makes you laugh.” Alexa Diauto ‘27 says, “it’s a lot of fun, it’s very goofy and farcical. All the characters are pretty extreme but it’s just a feel good comedy.” Upcoming shows are set for Friday, October 3rd at 7:30pm, Saturday, October 4th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, October 5th at 2pm. The latter performance will have an American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. Tickets are $5 for students and can be bought online or at the box office.
For those unconvinced, Fitzgerald has two reasons to see a showing: “One, for the humor of course. And two, it’s such a good representation of acceptance, especially regarding mental health. Which is something, in my opinion, that needs to be talked about today. And loving people for who they are and accepting their faults – especially for those closest to you.”
Showings for Harvey will occur at Lenfest Theater in the Kaleidoscope.