Harvey

Play

Writers: Mary Chase

Overview

Show Information

Book
Category
Play
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1944
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
the reception room of chumley’s rest, the present - 1944, the library of the old dowd family mansion
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Ideal for
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes

Includes young adult, adult, mature adult, elderly characters

Synopsis

Harvey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase, is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey -- a pooka, who is a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, determine to commit Elwood to a sanitarium. A mistake is made, however, and Veta is committed rather than Elwood! Eventually, the mistake is realized, and a frantic search begins for Elwood and the invisible pooka, which ends with Elwood appearing, voluntarily, at the sanitarium. In the end, however, Veta realizes that she loves her brother and his invisible his best friend just as they are, and doesn’t want either of them to change.

Lead Characters


Harvey guide sections