Prince George's Little Theatre Puts on 'Harvey'

Harvey, a 1944 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase that ran on Broadway for five years before becoming a 1950 film classic starring Jimmy Stewart, is currently on stage at Bowie Playhouse.  This delightful Prince George’s Little Theatre (PGLT) offering will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates superb comedic acting skills, a totally professional production or simply needs a few laughs.

When Chase wrote her play during World War II, she gave audiences a fantasy about an invisible 6-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey—a good remedy for folks coping with remnants of the Depression and the war.  More than 60 years later, audiences will still laugh at affable, heavy-drinking Elwood P. Dowd and the havoc his tall, invisible white rabbit create for Elwood’s sister, Veta, and her daughter, Myrtle May, who live together in the family home.

Veta is intent on finding a husband for Myrtle Mae, a goal complicated by Elwood’s eccentric behavior as he insists on introducing Harvey to guests at their home. At wit’s end, Veta decides to have Elwood committed to spare Myrtle Mae continued embarrassment and spinsterhood.

When Veta tries to have her brother committed, Dr. Chumley’s assistant (Dr. Sanderson) tries to commit Veta instead—a mistake that results in a hilarious comedy of errors.

Involved with PGLT since 1979, director Keith Brown returns to the very first PGLT show he ever worked on and creates a wonderfully entertaining production filled with first-rate performances within fantastic settings of his own design. Linda Swann adds her talents to this production with a series of fantastic costumes. Garrett Hyde creates lighting to complete the visual perfection that includes artist Dianne Hutchinson’s masterly portraits of the family matriarch and of Elwood and Harvey above the fireplace mantle.

Creating her own magic is wonderful Millie Ferrara, who defines the role of Veta. Her societal pretentiousness often derails her better instincts toward her brother and daughter. Always amusing, Ferrara’s Veta becomes side-splitting hysterically funny when recounting her ordeal at the hands of a rough sanitarium assistant whom she dubs a “white slaver," comically deals with assorted medical and legal professionals finally to prefer lovable Elwood as he is.

Mike O’Donnell charms the audience with his gentle innocence and courtly manners as Elwood P. Dowd.  O’Donnell’s Dowd is a wise man who enjoys social drinking and cherishes warm companionship, especially that of his best friend Harvey, whom we almost see.

As Dr. Chumley, actor Danny Brooks displays his comedic skills as his Chumley descends from a pompous director of a posh clinic, who has zero tolerance of staff mistakes to a self-doubting wreck who longs only for a vacation.

In supporting roles, outstanding actors include Heather Harris as Myrtle Mae, Peyton Johns as Dr. Sanderson, Rich Fogg as Wilson, Shirley Greenwald as Ethel Chauvenet, Rachel Simms as Nurse Kelly, Eliot Malumuth as Judge Gaffney and Sherry Fogg as Mrs. Chumley.

Harvey continues at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19, 25, and 26 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Bowie Playhouse in White Marsh Park.  Tickets are $19 for adults and $14 for seniors and students 18 and under. Call the box office at 301-937-PGLT (7458).