PULLMAN, Wash. – A giant invisible rabbit sparks a case of “mistaken insanity” when Washington State University Performing Arts presents the classic comedy “Harvey.” Directed by Mary Trotter, the play will be presented in Daggy Hall’s Jones Theatre at 7:30 p.m. April 5, 6, 12 and 13, with 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on April 6 and 13.
 Steve Wesner as Elwood P. Dowd.
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When Elwood P. Dowd introduces his best friend, a giant invisible rabbit named Harvey, to guests at a dinner party, his sister Veta has seen as much of his eccentric behavior as she can take. The tables turn, however, when Veta attempts to have Elwood committed and finds herself declared a lunatic instead.
As the chaos is sorted out and a cure for Elwood is prescribed, Veta must decide whether she prefers her brother to be “perfectly normal” or perfectly happy.
Reserved seating costs $10 for adults and $8 for students and youth. A WSU Alumni Association member discount is available; call 509-335-8522 for information.
Tickets may be purchased at TicketsWest outlets – online at http://www.ticketswest.com, by phone at 800-325-7328 and at the Beasley Coliseum box office 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday – or at the Daggy Hall ticket office beginning two hours before the performance.
Playwright Mary Chase received the Pulitzer Prize in drama for this clever comedy that critic John Chapman called “the most delightful, droll, endearing, funny and touching piece of stage whimsy I ever saw.” The play was famously adapted into a 1950 film starring Jimmy Stewart.
 Joanna Steward as Mrs. Ethel Chauvanet.
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“We are delighted to bring this charming, funny story and its wonderful characters to the stage of Jones Theatre,” said Gail Siegel, director of WSU Performing Arts. “Director Mary Trotter and her talented cast promise to deliver a performance that will have you laughing out loud.”
The WSU production features Steve Wesner as Elwood P. Dowd, Miranda Blum as Veta, Clarice Cohn as Veta’s daughter Myrtle and Jon Rice and Andrew Helsing as Drs. Chumley and Sanderson, respectively.
“While the situation might be kind of out there – a man with a 6-foot-tall invisible bunny rabbit for a best friend – the issues are heartwarmingly funny,” said Trotter: “Being who we want to be. How do we deal with people who are ‘different’ from us? … Mary Chase does a beautiful job of creating real characters in an odd situation that continually find themselves a little mixed up.”
Cast
Myrtle Mae Simmons……………………….. Clarice Cohn
Veta Louise Simmons……………………….. Miranda Blum
Elwood P. Dowd……………………………… Steve Wesner
Miss Johnson………………………………….. Harley Reynolds
Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet……………………….. Joanna Steward
Ruth Kelly, R.N………………………………. Tori Osteraa
Duane Wilson………………………………… Devon Hernandez
Lyman Sanderson, M.D…………………….. Andrew Helsing
William R. Chumley, M.D…………………… Jon Rice
Betty Chumley………………………………… Heidi Harris
Judge Omar Gaffney………………………… Matthew Kenyon
E. J. Lofgren…………………………………… Michael Snyder
Veta Louise Simmons……………………….. Miranda Blum
Elwood P. Dowd……………………………… Steve Wesner
Miss Johnson………………………………….. Harley Reynolds
Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet……………………….. Joanna Steward
Ruth Kelly, R.N………………………………. Tori Osteraa
Duane Wilson………………………………… Devon Hernandez
Lyman Sanderson, M.D…………………….. Andrew Helsing
William R. Chumley, M.D…………………… Jon Rice
Betty Chumley………………………………… Heidi Harris
Judge Omar Gaffney………………………… Matthew Kenyon
E. J. Lofgren…………………………………… Michael Snyder