Play Idea - Harvey

Last fall I had the chance to direct "Harvey" for Christian Academy of Indiana. "Harvey" is a classic comedy by Mary Chase, best known from the 1950 film version starring the incredible James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd, a sort of mystic whose best friend is an invisible, six foot tall rabbit. Elwood's sister and niece have struggled for years to hide Elwood's condition, but after he embarrasses them at a social party they decide to have him committed. The plot thickens when Elwood's sister is committed, and the sanitarium director has his own encounter with Harvey. In the end, Elwood's relatives realize that they love their brother as is, and they welcome him and the mysterious Harvey home.

The play was a great deal of fun with a middle/high school cast. Most had never heard of the play, so it was fun to introduce them to the story, although a few actors, including the lead, chose not to watch the movie until after the play. (A smart move; the young actor playing Elwood did not want Stewart's iconic performance to influence his own. He created a unique and delightful Elwood as a result of his decision.)

What's more, this is a very fun play to perform for kids. There are two "trick" moments in the play where Harvey opens doors or moves furniture. The characters are well drawn, and there's a good deal of room for visual humor. One of the best gags in the play was the portrait of Elwood and Harvey that is placed on the mantle in Act Two. We had a student paint the pair (see below), and the laugh every night was huge.

Harvey does contain some mild language as well as innuendo. However, the publisher does allow for student groups to edit these lines.

Some may have a problem with Elwood's drinking. He is seen pouring a drink only once, but he is constantly inviting people out for a drink. The drinking can be excised, but doing so takes away a significant part of the plot, especially for those familiar with the story. While I understand the objections of most, I think it can be managed in a subtle way so that small eyes and ears will not be drawn to it.

What's more, the alcohol adds to the spiritual metaphor to the play. Elwood's drinking is blamed for the appearance of Harvey, an accusation that parallels the charge leveled at Peter and the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, when the crowd believed them to be drunk. They were not drunk, but filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the same way the Apostles believed in someone they could not see, Elwood has absolute faith in an unseen white rabbit. Harvey is described as benevolent, wise, and a true friend. He is believed to have supernatural powers, such as the ability to control time. Even Elwood's sister can see that something unseen is manipulating events to protect her brother, and the big twist at the very end leads us to believe Harvey intervenes directly to save Elwood from a medication that would make him "normal." Viewed through the lens of Christianity, Elwood and Harvey's story is a wonderful parable about faith in God.

Harvey is a great opportunity not only to expose your students to a modern classic, but to show them how even secular works can point to God. It's a fun play that always entertains and always draws an audience.

Harvey calls for a cast of twelve, six males and six females, and runs about two and a half hours with intermission. The script and royalties are available from Dramatists Play Service.