HARVEY
by T.E. Klunzinger
One of the enduring strengths of the gently whimsical, Pulitzer-Prize-winning Harvey is that it’s very much of its time… and yet it’s not. It seems to be set in the 1940’s when it premiered; yet there’s no mention of World War II or other troubles. So at its heart it’s about real, regular people and their reaction to an improbable situation.
This Starlight Dinner Theatre production, now playing at Grand Ledge High School through May 7, preserves the play’s soft magic, first seen with the wonderfully detailed Dowd family library. (The other side of the expansive set, at Chumley’s Rest, is, well, clinical.)
We are soon apprised of the situation: Veta Louise Simmons (Jane Zussman) and her emotionally anxious daughter Myrtle Mae (Laura Croff) have become social outcasts due to her brother Elwood’s annoying habit of introducing everyone in their small town to his good friend, a large, invisible white rabbit named Harvey. So Veta Louise decides to have Elwood committed to the local sanitarium and her plan spirals out of control from there.
To those who grew up with the film of James Stewart’s laconic Elwood P. Dowd – referred to by one character as “calm” - Chris Klaver’s portrayal may seem a tad high-strung; but his cadences grow on you to the point where you hardly notice. And he is in any case always serenely confident of his relaxed world view.
And too, if you embraced Josephine Hull’s fluttery Veta Louise, you may find Jane Zussman’s characterization to be more commanding in her increasing distraction; but this too is a logical reflection of her own Mother Dowd’s enduring strength.
Laura Croff is consistently, hilariously nubile as the young Myrtle Mae, Greg Pratt is boisterously gruff as the orderly Duane Wilson, and Mark Polzin and Bob Robinson, as the Drs. Sanderson and Chumley, embody the good, bad and confused sides of the then-budding science of psychiatry.
Stephanie Spagnuolo, Mark Zussman, Susan Chmurynsky, Gary Mitchell and the indomitable Lee Helder lend their spice, wit and clarity to the smaller roles.
A couple of hints: As you choose your “general seating” you might want to sit more towards audience right, as the later scenes take place on the sanitarium set. Also, driving to Grand Ledge High School, turning left/west from Jenne Street into the parking lot(s), you must not be distracted by the construction but drive straight west, all the way past the bleachers and tennis courts, then bear right to arrive at the correct Lower West Entrance at the center rear of the school.
Oh, and, as to the essential point of whether or not Harvey is just a figment of Elwood’s imagination… you’ll have to decide that for yourself.
Harvey continues Saturday night (dinner 6:30; show 7:30) and Sunday matinee (dessert 1:30; show 2pm) (NOTE: no second weekend matinee due to Mother’s Day) also Friday/Saturday May 6-7. Dinner is lasagna in the lobby and must be reserved at least two days ahead. Walk ins available for show-only.
Details/reservations at 517-599-2779 and http://Starlightdinnertheatre.com