AUDITIONS

HARVEY

Saturday, June 15, @ 1:00 PM

Sunday, June 16, @ 7:00 PM

Monday, June 17, @ 7:00 PM callbacks

CENTERstage Productions announces open auditions for Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize winning Comedy, Harvey.

To be presented in The CENTER’s new Black Box theater.

Synopsis

Elwood P. Dowd is inseparable from his best friend, Harvey. The pair does everything together and Elwood insists on introducing Harvey to everyone he meets. Unfortunately, Harvey is an imaginary 6’ 3.5'' tall rabbit. While some are charmed by Elwood’s eccentricities, others are simply too off put by his delusions to interact with him or his family. When his sister Veta begins trying to find a husband for her daughter, the damage Elwood has done to the family’s image becomes too much to tolerate. Veta decides that she will commit her brother to a sanitarium. However, when the doctor hears her frazzled and far-fetched story, he decides to commit Veta instead. When the truth is revealed, it will take all hands on deck to track down Elwood and fix the doctor’s mistake. As the sanitarium staff frantically attempts to right the wrong, the line between imagination and reality becomes less clear. Harvey makes his presence known to them, though everyone has a different idea of who or what he is.
Harvey is a heartfelt and uplifting piece set in the 1940s, which was adapted into the critically acclaimed movie of the same name in 1950.

“...if a visit to the Astor, where it opened yesterday, does not send you forth into the highways and the byways embracing a warm glow—then the fault will be less with Harvey, we suspect, than it will be with you.”

- Bosley Crowther, NY Times.

Presented by: CENTERstage Productions

Director: Jane Langan

Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.

Performance Dates: August 16 and 17 @ 8:00pm, August 18 @ 3:00pm

We strongly encourage women, persons of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work.

Prepare / Bring: A monologue that best represents the character for which you are auditioning.

Monologues do not have to be from the show, but actors may also be asked to read from the script.

Please be prepared to list all conflicts.

Questions: Contact Director Jane Langan at rebelwithoutacause2023@gmail.com

Casting Breakdown

Elwood P. Dowd

A mild-mannered and charming alcoholic who’s best friend is an invisible 6’ 3.5” tall rabbit. He is exceptionally kind to everyone he meets and has a profound appreciation for the beauty of the world. Male, age 30-65

Veta Louise Simmons

Elwood’s sister, an excitable and fragile lady who cares deeply about the reputations of her and her family. She struggles to balance her love for Elwood with her embarrassment of his behavior. Female, age 35-65

Dr. Lyman Sanderson

A skilled psychiatrist at Chumley’s Rest. He is quite confident, but ends up making a disastrous mistake. He has feelings for Kelly, but is often dismissive or rude to her. Male, age 25-35

Ruth Kelly

A nurse at Chumley’s Rest. Has feelings for Dr. Sanderson, but is often frustrated by his attitude towards her. She is charmed by Elwood’s manners. She is sympathetic and wants to do her job well. Female, age 18-30

Myrtle Mae Simmons

Veta’s daughter, who is enraged by the way her uncle’s behavior has affected her social life. She has no hesitations about doing whatever it takes to get rid of him. Female, age 18-30

Dr. William R. Chumley

The head of Chumley’s rest. An accomplished psychiatrist with a national reputation. Does not see patients anymore, but is forced to get personally involved in Elwood’s case. Male, age 50-70

Duane Wilson

The muscle of Chumley’s Rest. He is irritable and impulsive. Male, age 25-35

Judge Omar Gaffney

An old friend to the Dowds and the family’s lawyer. He is outraged by any mistreatment of the Dowd family. Male, age 40-75

E.J. Lofgren

A cab driver who shares his two cents with Veta about the treatment Elwood is receiving at Chumley’s rest. Male, age 35-70

Betty Chumley

Dr. Chumley’s wife. She is a kind and generous lady. Female, age 50-70

Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet

A wealthy woman of high society. She is an old friend of Elwood’s and is shocked by how he has changed. Female, age 50-80

Miss Johnson

A maid in the Dowd home. Female, age 18-70