All An Act's Harvey Is Ear-esistibly Funny

Joshua Mizikowski

Allie Mitchell (left), Shantel Kay, Kirsten McCain star in the All An Act production of Harvey.

Premiering Friday, Jun. 10

Elwood P. Dowd always insists that his friend Harvey is included in his sister Veta's social gatherings. The only problem is, Harvey is an imaginary six-and-a-half-foot rabbit.

To prevent any future embarrassments for her family — especially for Myrtle, her daughter — Veta decides to have her brother committed to a sanitarium. Upon arrival at the sanitarium, a comedy of errors arises, leading to a search for Elwood and his invisible friend.

Once they turn up, Elwood and Harvey have a strange influence on the staff of the sanitarium, including more than one of the doctors employed with his care. What follows is a hilarious classic fantasy that will keep audiences laughing.

Written by Mary Chase and premiering on Broadway initially, Harvey has been adapted for both movie and television since its 1944 debut, in both domestic and foreign markets. It has also been adapted as a stage musical, Say Hello to Harvey, which opened in Toronto in 1981. Arguably the most notable adaptation is the 1950 movie Harvey, starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull — the latter of which won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film.

Harvey is presented at All An Act by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York and is directed by Larry Lewis. Starring in the production are Jawn Gross, Kirsten McCain, Allie Mitchell, Michael Nasca, Shantel Kay, Andre Concepcion, Josh Herrera, Michael Meyer, Dennis Karle, Char Newport, and Jenn Puz.

Proof of vaccination is required to attend the show, with masks strongly encouraged but not required. — Ally Kutz

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. through June 26 // All An Act, 652 W. 17 St. // $5 - $15 // For tickets and more information, visit allanact.net