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Harvey

From the Artistic Director: Harvey

 

Harvey first hit the scene back in 1944 and was last seen on Broadway in 1970. While many decades have passed since that appearance, I doubt that it will surprise many people attending this new production to learn who Harvey really is: a big white rabbit, or, to be exact, a pooka measuring six feet three-and-a-half inches tall. He also happens to be invisible. For some reason, the revelation of Harvey's identity is hardly a "spoiler.” The basics of this silly-seeming story are familiar to many: A man named Elwood P. Dowd carries on conversations with a giant rabbit who cannot be seen or heard by anyone else. Embarrassed by Elwood’s behavior, his sister seeks to have him committed, and she spends much of the play trying to convince a sanitarium to take him off her hands. This description might make the play sound like mere fluff or amusing hijinks, but I don’t think Harvey would be so present in our collective memory if the play were just that. So why has it endured? Of course, the play won the Pulitzer Prize and was turned into a hit film starring Jimmy Stewart, but I honestly don't think those accolades can completely explain why Harvey has burrowed his way into the common vernacular.

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2011-2012 Season, From Todd Haimes, Harvey


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Full Cast Announced for ‘Harvey’

 

It is our pleasure to announce the full cast for Harvey, which will be directed by Scott Ellis at Studio 54 this spring. Along with the previously announced Jim Parsons, Jessica Hecht, and Charles Kimbrough, the cast will also feature Larry Bryggman, Carol Kane, Peter Benson, Tracee Chimo, Holley Fain, Angela Paton, Rich Sommer, and Morgan Spector.

We are thrilled to welcome back so many Roundabout favorites. Larry appeared in our productions of Twelve Angry Men and Picnic. Peter was with us for The Pajama Game and Cabaret. And Holley Fain was in the company of Present Laughter.

It is also a great pleasure to have such incredible artists joining the Roundabout family. Carol has most recently been on Broadway in Wicked, and is best known for her films, including The Princess Bride and Annie Hall. Tracee has recently been seen Off-Broadway in Bachelorette and Circle Mirror Transformation. Angela has had a long and varied career in film and television, best known for Groundhog Day and The Wedding Singer. Rich is probably most recognizable for his role on “Mad Men” and has also had recurring roles on “The Office,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and “Ugly Betty.” Finally, Morgan is currently playing downtown in Russian Transport and appeared in the recent revival of A View from the Bridge.

The fantastic design team includes David Rockwell (Sets), Jane Greenwood (Costumes), Ken Posner (Lights), and Obadiah Eaves (Sound).

Performances of Harvey will begin on May 18, 2012 on Broadway at Studio 54 with the official opening set for June 14, 2012.  The limited engagement is scheduled to run through August 5, 2012.

For more information on Harvey, click here.


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2011-2012 Season, Harvey, Roundabout News


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Q&A with Todd Haimes: Harvey

 

A conversation with Artistic Director Todd Haimes about Mary Chase’s Harvey.

Except for a brief revival in 1970, Harvey has not been seen on Broadway in generations.  What about this show makes it a great choice for our subscribers?

I've always loved Harvey, but people tend to be more familiar with the movie than with the play. Obviously, the movie is a classic, and I'm as big of a fan of those Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull performances as anyone. But the play stands on its own incredibly well, and most people have no idea that Mary Chase won the Pulitzer Prize for writing it, which was no small thing for a woman in 1944. The original production ran for years, and I think because it was such a hit both on stage and screen, people have been wary of taking on that big legacy with a new production. But it seems to me that this is the right moment to bring Harvey back. The play has a lot to say about imagination, faith, and the value of being able to step back from the chaos of life and not take things too seriously for a minute. In our overly plugged-in time, I think it's a message we need to hear, and one that this play gets across in a simple, charming, and funny way.

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Related Categories:
2011-2012 Season, From Todd Haimes, Harvey, Roundabout News


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