Everyman Theatre: Harvey

A one-time staple of High School Drama Departments, it's a joy to see this play performed by a skill company of adult actors.  Born of a genre stuck in time, "Harvey" comes from the same seeds as "You Can't Take It With You," "Arsenic and Old Lace," and "Born Yesterday."  A farcical play with plot twists and lots of double entendre.  A few eccentric characters to drive the "normal" ones batty.   Bit of tension and then a resolution in the nick of time! They don't write plays like this anymore.  I feel like you're more likely to find an homage to these well worn classics in modern musicals like "Kinky Boots," and "The Book of Mormon."

When you approach one of these comedies, you really have a continuum of choices.  You can play it straight, or you can play it over the top.  OR somewhere in the middle.  My preference is north of center toward the top!  Inevitably there will be turns of phrases that are dated, gender rolls that feel awkward; turning it up allows the experience to be more contextualized, and I think enjoyable, because you can eliminate the PC guilt burden.  I can say, this group of actors and the director understood this dynamic well and found the sweet spot dead on.

Everyman is a repertory company, and so you often see the same folks in different rolls and you know who you can count on to deliver.  Certainly the mother-daughter duo played by veteran member Megan Anderson and relative newcomer Hannah Kelly set the tone wonderfully and as the play unfolds, Megan continues to lead the way with some of the best comedic timing on the production.  Morgan Danielle Day as nurse Kelly and Paul Morella as Dr. Chumley were likewise cooking with gas; but the real start was longtime member Bruce Randolph Nelson.  I've seen him in many rolls over the years and he never disappoints.  As the affable Elwood P. Dowd, friend of the Pooka, Harvey, he floats from one peril to the next, never ruffled, always finding the exit and along the way drawing others into the magic that is the invisible Harvey rabbit--white coat, 6 foot 1 1/2 tall...always one and a half!  At intermission, I spoke briefly with the woman sitting next to me, and she assert that Bruce was the reason she chose to see this old chestnut.  The man has a loyal fan base here in Charm City.

The Costumes were lovely with well chosen color schemes for each of the characters that seemed to make subtle inferences about their personalities.  But the set!  OMG--the set was to die for.  Two complete rooms built on a revolving stage with such detail and functionality.  Side doors apart from the moving center with completely different interiors based on the main stage present.  Exquisite detailing to boot.  When I think about the most amazing sets that I have seen based on solid construction throughout the DMV: Everyman Theatre leads the pack, with Round House in Bethesda a close second, and Signature Theater in Arlington a respectable third.  Hats off to Daniel Ettinger for his glorious design!  Another triumph for their resident master.

Only one more week to experience the fun of "Harvey".  It will heal your memory of all those High School productions you may have seen over the years. 

Bruce Randolph Nelson as Elwood P. Dowd, friend and confidant of Harvey. 

Deborah Hazlett as Mrs Chauvenet, Elwood's doting Aunt.

Hannah Kelly as Myrtle Mae Simmons, Elwood's debutante wanna be niece.

Morgan Danielle Day as Nurse Ruth Kelly, Grant Emerson Harvey as Dr. Lyman Sanderson attempting to charm Elwood after committing him to the Chumley Asylum, which they've come to believe was a mistake.

Beth Hylton as Mrs. Chumley, wife of the Asylum's namesake in a pleasant conversation with Elwood, whom, unbeknownst to her, is the subject of a frantic manhunt led by her husband.

Myrtle Mae with Megan Anderson as her mother Veta Simmons and David Bishins as the family lawyer, Judge Gaffney.

Alexander Kafarakis as Duane Wilson, the Asylum's strongman and Paul Morella as Dr. William Chumley.

E. J. Lofgren as Kyle Prue the straight talking cab driver who brings the Simmons and Elwood to the Asylum unsettling Veta with tails of how Elwood's treatment will forever change her brother as Judge Gaffney listens.

THE SET!

Before the show begins in the Simmons mansion setting.

At intermission showing the admitting office of the Chumley Asylum.