Elwood P. Dowd, a regular at Chumley’s Bar, spots an white six-foot tall rabbit named Harvey. While Elwood enjoys his evening drinks, he strikes up a conversation with Harvey. But Harvey only exists in Elwood’s mind and heart–invisible to everyone else, including the audience. Their first conversation leads to an unusual friendship that no one understands.
First staged in 1944 on Broadway, this play went on to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama. Playwright Mary Chase wrote “Harvey” because she took inspiration from a neighbor who lived across the street. She used to see her every day, and one day she learned that her son passed away fighting in the ongoing war. She wondered if she could ever create something that would make the neighbor laugh again, according to Irish America magazine online. One early morning when she woke up, she saw a huge white rabbit following a psychiatrist and she had her solution. The play brought America together with laughter and joy in the midst of the turmoil of World War II.
The South production of “Harvey” brought our community together on Nov 15-16.
The play’s central conflict begins when Elwood’s sister Veta, played by Dia Jha (‘27), notices family gatherings are ruined by Elwood,played by Emre Celik (‘27), and his invisible pal Harvey. Distressed for herself and her daughter Myrtle, portrayed by Inara Anandasiri (‘28), she calls a psychiatric clinic where Veta meets nurse Ruth Kelly, played by Madison Ridley (‘26), Dr. Sanderson, played by Mahesh Chowdary Chennupati (‘26), and Dr. Chumley, portrayed by Sameer Jyothula (‘27).
Veta’s plan does not go well: the doctors conclude that she is the one who needs mental help. Director and language arts teacher Ms. Dara Sheller said about the play, “It’s sort of effortlessly funny.”
Making the play effortlessly funny in only two-months required a rigorous practice schedule.
Jha said, “We would go home at 10 or 10:30 during tech week, which may have been a bit stressful yet it was all worth it.”
The time crunch between school, sports, and other activities was difficult, but the students’ passion pushed through for the play made it come to life.
Being part of the play brought many South students together. “The experience was inclusive and all of the cast members were nice, inviting, and made sure that no one was ever excluded. I have made so many new friends thanks to this play,” said Cass Dans (‘28) who was a part of the stage crew.
Jha said, “I liked doing the play because it helped me connect with people who have the same interests as me. It’s a way to build confidence and make friends.”
South’s production of “Harvey” reminds us that when the world sometimes seems divided, an “effortlessly funny” play can bring people together–an idea that never gets old at our school.
