A 6-foot 1-inch rabbit named Harvey would seem a rather unique, if not quirky or slightly insane, best friend.
Playgoers will get to know the special companion of Elwood P. Doud, played by Goodrich High School student Steven Brauer, the main character in the GHS performance ‘Harvey,? set to debut at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18, 19, and 20 and at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Raymond C. Green Center for Performing Arts, 8029 S. Gale Road.
The play will mark the start of GHS Director Steve Mitchell’s tenth year.
Mitchell produces both the fall play and spring musical, along with his acting classes? improv shows each semester. Another creation of Mitchell’s is ‘The Coffee House,? a production that is put on at least twice a year and allows any student to sign up and perform poems, songs, and other media that they have created.
For Mitchell, producing ‘Harvey? was a personal ambition, along with an obligation to recently retired English teacher, Bill Duso.
?’Harvey? is Bill Duso’s favorite play and I had always promised him that I would produce it when he retired,? said Mitchell.
‘It was the least I could do after he gave 37 dedicated years of his life to this school and his students.?
The storyline includes Elwood, who lives with his sister, Veta Louise Simmons, and niece, Myrtle Mae Simmons, in the old Doud mansion somewhere in the northwest. Veta Louise, played by Rae Moors, and Myrtle Mae, played by Kelsey Millerschin, grow tired of Harvey’s shenanigans and are determined to commit Elwood to a sanitarium-the 1940’s version of a psych ward. Much confusion and mishaps ensues, ending in the doctors and nurses at the sanitarium believing that Veta Louise is the crazy one, instead of Elwood.
‘The best part of this play is that even though Elwood is supposed to be the crazy one, there is a little insanity in each character,? said Mitchell. ‘It was fun to see all the students play out their characters? quirks and find the craziness lurking inside each one.?
The ‘Harvey? cast consists of six men and six women, which are ‘all equally essential in telling the story,? said Mitchell. The cast includes Steven Brauer, Rae Moors, Kelsey Millerschin, PJ Drake, Cameron Thompson, Paul Doctor, Brian Doherty, Morgan Rouvelin, Kayla Schmideknect, Morgan Hoeffel, Elise Selberg, and Sean Bearup.
‘Out of all the characters in the play, she’s probably got one of the most vibrant and eccentric personalities, which was fun to play,? commented Rae Moors on her character, Veta Louise.
The play is divided into three acts with one intermission. Tickets for ‘Harvey? are $7 and will be on sale at the door prior to each showing. You may also call the box office one hour before each performance to reserve seats at 810-591-2220.