PLEASANT GROVE — Based on my experience in theatre both in Utah and around the country, I think one of the most defining characteristics of the Utah theatre scene is a healthy dose of nostalgia for old favorites that are less often produced elsewhere. Every once in a while, I’ll see a show that shows its age and I wonder if it might be better studied than performed. Other times, I’ll see a show and be reminded of why it is so beloved. For the most part, PG Players‘ production of Mary Chase‘s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Harvey, sits in the latter category for me, and I was glad for the chance to revisit it last weekend in Pleasant Grove.
At its heart, Harvey celebrates the power of kindness. At the center of the action is Elwood P. Dowd, a gentleman to the core, who is surrounded primarily by those who care much more about their reputation and social standing than they do about each other. Elwood’s best friend is a six-foot-one-and-a-half pooka named Harvey, a white rabbit invisible to all but Elwood himself. Elwood’s insistence on the reality of Harvey drives his socialite sister Veta and spoiled niece Myrtle Mae to distraction, and they decide to have him committed in the local institution. When wires are crossed and Veta is committed instead, everyone gets a lesson in what it means to truly care about the wellbeing of others.
As Elwood, Dennis Purdie is a gem. He has a decided Mr. Rogers energy that is immediately endearing. I fully believed that he believed in Harvey, and that he genuinely did not notice the ways in which others around him thought him insane. He is a delight from beginning to end and anchors the show extremely well. It is easy to see why he makes friends wherever he goes, and he is extremely easy to root for. Likewise, Luone Ingram as Veta is excellent. While some other cast members occasionally seemed to lean toward caricature in their performance, Ingram felt grounded and honest throughout. That honesty is critical to the success of the show, as Elwood’s character remains static. It is Veta’s change of heart toward her brother is what allows for a heartwarming rather than tragic finish to the plot. Both actors are wonderfully cast.
The supporting cast is generally strong, with notable performances from Rebekah Olson as Myrtle Mae, Brenna Brown as Nurse Kelly, and Gregory Rampton as Dr. Sanderson. Each add well to the overall comedy of the piece and get well-earned laughs.
The set design was lovely with many excellent period touches and is largely effective. I was admittedly a little taken aback by the large photo of Elwood and Veta’s mother, which feels out of place given how excellent the rest of the design was. The framing of the shot is like an oversized driver’s license photo or mug shot, and since the show specifically refers to the piece as an oil painting, I’d have liked to have seen a different choice made there. (Perhaps in keeping with the replacement painting of Elwood and Harvey that appears to have been painted by Harvey, which is much better and very funny.) Given the size of the stage, the set is still an impressive accomplishment. The costuming is also impressive, with some excellent details that help establish the characters and time period well.
Direction by Kathryn and Howard Little is generally successful. They overcame many of the blocking challenges of working in a small space, especially when scenes got more crowded and actors only had half the space to work with. As a result of the restricted space, some scenes dragged a bit in pacing and I do wonder if some additional stage business options or a different set configuration may have helped keep things moving. There were also some missed comedic opportunities throughout, including a some lines throughout that didn’t seem to be delivered to the intended recipient. A bit more time in the text may have polished some rough patches. That said, the Littles did an admirable job with the given circumstances that time, space, and community theatre budgets typically allow, and I left impressed both by this show and with PG Players as a whole.
Toward the end Harvey, Elwood tells Dr. Chumley “my mother used to say to me. . . ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant.’ For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” With that spirit in mind, I think it apt to say the PG Players’ production of Harvey as entirely pleasant and worth the price of admission.
