The 2018 summer season at Rabbit Run Theater opens with the comedy “Harvey”

MADISON, OH – Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy “Harvey” opens at Rabbit Run Theater, Friday, June 1, and runs through June 16.

Elwood P. Dowd is a gentle soul who has an invisible friend Harvey, a six-foot, one-and-a-half inch mythological pooka, a rabbit with human features.  Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone he meets.  His social-climbing sister, Veta finds her brother’s behavior embarrassing, especially when he introduces Harvey to party guests.  Veta has had enough and tries to commit Elwood to a sanitarium.  The tables get turned, however, in this comedy of errors.

Playing the role of Elwood P. Dowd is Brendan Sandham, who has performed and directed in numerous shows both at Rabbit Run Theater and the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby.

Sandy Kosovich Peck is playing Elwood’s sister, Veta.  Peck also has performed in and directed numerous shows at Rabbit Run and is a theater faculty member at The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby.  Caroline Turner is portraying Elwood’s niece, Myrtle Mae.

“Harvey” is directed by Ann Hedger, programming coordinator at The Fine Arts Association.  Hedger has been associated with Rabbit Run since the 1980’s as an actor and director.

“’Harvey’ is one of the most underestimated plays of this century,” says Hedger.  “The theme is as relevant today as it was in 1944 when it was written.  The story’s theme centers around the need to push down and silence individuals who do not conform to majority thinking.”

“Brendan Sandham’s Elwood P. Dowd does a heartwarming turn, showing us that if we stop worrying about being thought of as smart and be content with the choice of just being pleasant, that we would be in a better place.”

Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. or on line at www.rabbitrunonline.org.  Tickets are $24/adult, $22/senior, student and $11 for youth ages 12 and under.  For group packages and rates call 440-428-5913.

Guests are welcome to bring a picnic meal to enjoy on the grounds of the theater prior to a show in the picnic pavilion or courtyards.  Rabbit Run Theater is one of the few remaining barn theaters still in operation in Ohio and produces shows every summer from the beginning of June through the end of August.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.  “Harvey” is rated for general audiences.

Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, OH.  Rabbit Run receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council, the Lake County Visitors Bureau, Arts & Culture Fund, Hearn Plumbing and Heating, Huffman-Mayer Wealth Management Group and Lighthouse Advisers. 

Above photo: (left to right):  Caroline Turner as Myrtle Mae, Sandy Kosovich Peck as Veta and Brendan Sandham as Elwood P. Dowd. 
Photo credit: Kathy Sandham. Photo location: Steele Mansion,  Painesville, OH. 

 

Press release submitted by:
Karen Ziegler
Director of Marketing/Group Sales
Rabbit Run Theater
P. O. Box 235, 49 Park St.
Madison, OH  44057
440-428-5913
www.rabbitrunonline.org

 

 

 

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