Mason Players Bring ‘Harvey’s’ Message to Life

By Juliana Pearson (October 22, 2001)

When Mary Chase’s comedy Harvey won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944, it beat out another well-known work, the Glass Menagerie. One might speculate that this was due to the depth and interaction of the play’s characters, or to its sophisticated humor, but perhaps it is the important message that Elwood P. Dowd and his pooka, Harvey, leave in the hearts of audiences and critics. This weekend, a well-assembled cast of George Mason players brought all the above aspects of the play brilliantly to life.

Sophomore Matt Meyer gave a remarkable, Jimmy Stewart-like performance as protagonist Elwood P. Dowd. Dowd, several years before the play opens, was on his way home from a local pub when he heard a voice say, "Hello, Mr. Dowd." He turned around, and leaning against the lamppost was a six-foot rabbit! The two began to converse and soon became the closest of friends. The problem is that nobody else can see the giant rabbit. Dowd, who lives with his sister Veta Louise (Dena Adriance) and her daughter Myrtle May (Annie Wanland) humorously finds it appropriate to introduce the rabbit to everybody he meets. This, of course, does not have a positive effect on the family’s social status in town, or Myrtle May’s marriage prospects. When Veta Louise decides to commit her brother to an insane asylum, the reckless staff commits Veta instead. The play’s message develops as the group tries to set the record straight. As psychologist William Chumley (Sam Adylette) chases Elwood from one neighborhood bar to another, Veta Louise plans with her lawyer, Judge Omar Gaffney (James Dzierwa) to sue the asylum. The mayhem sets a background for the play’s powerful message.

Because Elwood can believe in Harvey, who is forever kind and generous, he has faith in others. He goes up to strangers in bars and on the street. He brings them home for dinner, and buys them rounds of drinks, all because Harvey insists. Harvey allows Elwood to be everything that he wants to be. Dowd recalls the advice his mother gave him: "In this world you must be oh so smart and oh so pleasant.’" Dowd’s response? "For years I was smart, I recommend pleasant." One can guess he became truly pleasant when Harvey walked into his life, and he left the town’s social hierarchy behind him. By the end of the play, Harvey’s warmth is rubbing off on the other characters, including Veta Louise, who declares that she does not want her brother "cured."

The remarkably real, outstanding performances of Adriance and Meyer gave the play its lifeblood, but this could not have been possible without the play’s minor characters. Particularly impressive were freshmen Aydelette and Dr. Chumley’s assistant, Dr. Sanderson (Chad O’Hara). Senior Sasha Eric (as Duane Wilson, Dr. Chumley and Sanderson’s assistant) provided many laughs for the audience, and senior Christine Piscopo (as Nurse Kelly) made an excellent debut on the George Mason stage. Wanland, Dzierwa, Melissa Rose-McCully (as Chumley’s wife Betty), Alex Baker (as Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet), Matt Eddleman (as EJ Lofgrin, the cab driver who saves the day) and Kate O’Hara (Miss Johnson) also gave strong performances. Mr. Ballou’s stage crew designed yet another unprecedented set, and was on hand to make the play run smoothly. With such a strong performance of Harvey, students can only anticipate a wonderful competition play and spring musical.