Monmouth Community Players to stage ‘Harvey’ in October

The cast of “Harvey,” front from left, are Kathleen Leopold, Melissa Record, Jeff Cabral, Birdie Gay and Vanessa Glazier. Back from left are Charlotte Morin, Owen Lewis, Larry Vinal, Jane Mitchell and Katie Coan. Ginger Smith is missing. Submitted photo

The Monmouth Community Players and its sponsors have announced the cast of their fall production of “Harvey.”

Performances are scheduled for the weekends of Oct. 6-8 and 13-15. Friday performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday performances will take place at 2 p.m. at Cumston Hall, 796 Main St., Monmouth.

“Harvey” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, classic comedy by Mary Chase. At the helm of this production are Danny Gay as director and Jason Iannone as assistant director.

Rounding out the team are Ben Simpson as stage manager, Kayla Newmeyer as props mistress, Nancy Kenneally as costumer, Birdie Gay as producer and marketing lead, Alex Lally as sound design, and Danny Gay and Hannah Hanson as lighting design.

“Harvey” is the story of Elwood P. Dowd, played by Jeff Cabral of Biddeford, a perfectly pleasant man who sees something special in everyone he meets. The problem is that he also sees, and befriends, a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit named Harvey. It’s a problem, that is, for his exasperated sister, Veta Simmons (Melissa Record of North Monmouth) and niece, Myrtle Mae Simmons (Birdie Gay of North Monmouth), who long to have “normalcy” restored to their home, according to a news release from the Players.

With the assistance of Judge Gaffney (Kathleen Leopold of Richmond), they resolve to have Elwood committed under the watch of esteemed psychiatrist Dr. William Chumley (Larry Vinal of Augusta) and his soon-to-be-stupefied staff, led by Dr. Sanderson (Owen Lewis of Gardiner), Nurse Kelly (Katie Coan of Gardiner) and Wilson, the orderly (Charlotte Morin of Lewiston).

Much like the Dowd home, the sanatorium suddenly finds itself completely upended by Elwood and his fantastical friend, in ways both hilarious and poignant. Elwood’s outlook has a profound impact on everyone he meets, from high society socialites Ethel Chauvenet (Ginger Smith of Winthrop) and Betty Chumley (Jane Mitchell of Greene) to a working class cab driver (Vanessa Glazier of Waterville).

“Harvey” will delight audiences, reinforce the power of perspective and raise the question, “What is normal?”

“Harvey” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Great Falls Federal Credit Union is the Marquis Season Sponsor, and season sponsors include Readfield Insurance, Winthrop Area Federal Credit Union, and LWPE Law Offices, with MCPKids! season sponsors Textech Industries, Community Credit Union, Mills Family Monmouth Lights and Indie Stage Music.

Tickets cost $18 for adults or $15 for seniors and students.

For more information, or to make a group reservation of 10 or more at the group rate, contact the MCP Box Office at mcpboxoffice@gmail.com or 207-370-9566. Tickets are available online at monmouthcommunityplayers.org.