At its heart, Harvey is a story about
acceptance, kindness, and the freedom to be yourself …
Harvey, currently running at Workshop Theatre, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning and classic comedy written by Mary Chase. It premiered in 1944 and ran on Broadway for four years. The play was adapted in 1950 into the classic film of the same name starring Jimmy Stewart.
Directed by Bakari Lebby, the story centers around Elwood P. Dowd (Marshall Spann), a gentle, mild-mannered man who claims to have a best friend—a six-foot-tall, invisible rabbit named Harvey whom he introduces to everyone he knows in town. Elwood’s eccentricity is a source of embarrassment for his sister Veta Louise (Katie Mixon), who is desperate to climb the social ladder and fears Elwood’s behavior will hold her back. When Veta’s patience reaches its limit, she attempts to have him committed to a sanitarium, only for the staff to start questioning who’s truly the "crazy" one. This leads to some entertaining, if not a bit absurd, twists and turns as Veta finds herself drawn into the strange world of Elwood’s imagination.
Marshall Spann shines as Elwood, embodying the character’s warmth and innocence with remarkable ease. His performance is the heart of the show, making Elwood’s outlandish belief in Harvey feel both natural and endearing. His interactions with the invisible rabbit are a joy to watch—there's something genuinely magical about how Spann connects with Harvey, even though we (the audience) can't see him.
Katie Mixon brings a lot of energy to her role as Veta, though at times her performance edges into the over-the-top territory. Her dedication to the role and comedic timing earned her plenty of laughs.
… there's something genuinely magical about how Spann connects with Harvey …
A standout in the ensemble is Emily Padgett, who impressively juggles two roles—Ethel Chauvenet, the quirky aunt, and Betty Chumley, the wife of the head psychologist at the sanitarium. Her facial expressions and impeccable timing elevate her performance, proving that sometimes less is more when it comes to comedy.
Some of the other performances, however, felt a bit forced, and there were moments where actors seemed to be going through the motions rather than fully embracing their characters. The characters were very lively and will keep the audience entertained.
Visually, the set was a bit of a mixed bag. While the barebones design worked in some instances, the frequent entrances and exits felt awkward and confusing. A more cohesive use of props and period-specific details could have helped ground the production more firmly in its 1940s setting. I would like to have seen everyone in period-specific costumes which I know can be a difficult task.
The play runs a little over two hours, with two intermissions, so be prepared for a longer evening. Despite its minor flaws, the production offers plenty of charm, humor, and thought-provoking moments. At its heart, Harvey is a story about acceptance, kindness, and the freedom to be yourself—lessons that feel just as relevant today as they did when the play first premiered.
Catch Harvey at Cottingham Theatre before it closes on February 2. It is a fun, quirky escape into a world where imagination and kindness rule the day. Tickets are available by phone and online. Don’t miss your chance to meet Elwood and his invisible friend Harvey!