Have you ever had a man approach and introduce you to his best friend, only to find that that friend is not even real? Students and community members around Orange City, Iowa will have the odd pleasure of asking this question upon watching Northwestern’s next play, “Harvey,” written by Mary Chase and directed by Ethan Koerner.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play features a man named Elwood P. Dowd and his supposed best friend Harvey, who happens to be a six-foot-tall invisible rabbit. As would be assumed, Elwood’s family takes no liking to his way of life which involves his beloved friend, so they attempt to lock him up in a sanitarium. From here, insanity and hilarity only ensue.
The comedic play was certainly a fun choice for the director, Ethan Koerner, to choose. “We wanted to choose a show by a female playwright,” said Koerner. “It just so happened that we chose one that is delightfully fun and a crowd pleaser.” Koerner went one to explain that he has enjoyed working with the students and working on a Pulitzer prize-winner.
Koerner also commented on how much enjoyment he believes the audience will partake in, as well. “I am hopeful that there will be big crowds,“ he said. I believe people will find plenty of humor within the show.” What would not be funny about a man with a bunny friend, after all?
Not only is Koerner excited to put the play into action, but so are the students involved.Talea Errington, who plays the judge, commented on just how thrilled she is to be a part of the whole process. “I have enjoyed being in a show with such a big cast.” She exclaimed, “It has been really fun acting alongside such talented actors and seeing all the creative choices that get made during rehearsals.”
Errington also commented on the wonderful memories she has already made with the cast and crew. “One of my favorite memories from rehearsal was when we did an Italian run-through, which is when we run the entire show as fast as we can.” She proclaimed that the run through was both “fun and hilarious.”
Even though the show will not be put on stage until later this month, the theatre program on campus has created a fun way to keep community members involved. The people involved in promoting the show have created a game titled “Can you Find Harvey?,” which challenges both community members and students on campus to search for Elwood’s beloved friend, Harvey. The sightings of Harvey will be located around
campus, as well as common Orange City areas. Be sure to keep an eye out, because a sighting of the bunny can put someone in the chance to win a prize!
The show will be performed on April 21-22, 27 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., as well as April 22 and 29 at 2 p.m. The performance will take place in the England Proscenium Theatre, located in the theater arts building on NW’s campus. To see the play, one can order tickets off of nwciowa.ticketleap.com to reserve a spot in the audience. The director, cast and crew wish to see you in the audience soon!
