Theater sophomores Lauren Hunt, Anastacia Islas and Grace Taylor rehearse for the theatrical production of “Harvey” Monday inside McAllister. Opening night is March 31. Photo by Brandon A. Edwards
Sophomore theater major Lauren Hunt rehearses a phone skit. Lauren plays Veta Louise Simmons, social-climbing sister of main character Edward P. Dowd. Photo by Brandon A. Edwards
By Rebecca Nicole Flores
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Theater students at this college are working on their latest production, a comedy called “Harvey.”
This play is one of the three productions the theater program puts on every year.
“We offer opportunities in all aspects of play production including acting, technical theater and theater management,” Director Ronald Watson said.
Watson said the play will be quite entertaining. “I chose this play because it’s a classic comedy that everyone loves and it appeals to multiple generations.”
Watson said the plot involves lovable old bachelor Elwood P. Dowd, whose best friend is a 6-foot-1-inch white rabbit named Harvey — a friend that only Elwood can see. To avoid future embarrassment to her family, Elwood’s sister Veta decides to have him committed to a sanitarium, but in describing Harvey to the hospital doctors, Veta manages to get herself committed instead.
Meanwhile, it seems that Elwood and his invisible companion have had a strange influence on more than one person he has met. Only at the end, does Veta realize that maybe Harvey is not so bad after all.
“Elwood and his charming sensibilities show us that you’re never too old to have an imaginary best friend,” Watson said.
Many of the cast members are excited about this production.
Zach Roman, who plays Elwood P. Dowd, said, “We have many rehearsals and put in many hours for this play, but it is all worth it when I see the reactions of the audience. I love being on stage, and I love performing.”
Grace Taylor, who plays the rude, high-society character of Myrtle Mae Simmons, said, “Most cast members love the applause or love the attention, but I’m kind of shy when it comes to that. I do it simply because it is so much fun.”
Watson said there are many aspects and details that make this play stand out from productions they have put on in the past.
“The set features a special design that allows going from one setting to another quickly and effectively twice during the performance,” he said. “The play is set in the 1940s so period detail is definitely present in the settings, costumes and props. Music is also from the era.”
Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 31, April 1-2, and 7-9 and a 2:30 p.m. April 3 and 10 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.
Tickets cost $5 for students with an Alamo Colleges ID, $8 for other college students, seniors or military and $10 for general admission. Sales are cash or check only.
The rest of the “Harvey” cast is: Lauren Hunt as Veta Louise Simmons; Alexandra Bampi as Miss Johnson; Anastacia Islas as Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet; Ailyn Duran as Ruth Kelly, R.N.; Matthew Perales as Duane Wilson; Mason Anthony Ortiz as Lyman Sanderson, M.D.; Eric Dorsa as William R. Chumley, M.D.; Jacqueline Tharp as Betty Chumley; Nathan Gonzales as Judge Omar Gaffney; and Paul Homburg as E.J. Lofgren.
For more information, call 210-486-0492.
