Monday, October 20, 2014

"Harvey"

Practice has begun for the delightful comedy, "Harvey", written by Mary Chase. This three act comedy features an ensemble cast of twelve and it is scheduled to open in mid-November. "Harvey" is a comedy about a kindly older gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his pooka, Harvey, who happens to be a six foot invisible rabbit! His sister Veta, is embarrassed with his antics and tries to commit him to a sanitarium and that is when everything starts to go awry. Written first as a play, it was turned into a movie classic starring Jimmy Stewart.

Starring in the lead role of the lovable Elwood is Charles Feucht, of Eunice, who is returning to the stage for the first time since his 1987 role in "The Sunshine Boys". Elwood's hysterical sister, Veta, is being portrayed by Suzanne LaHaye, of Eunice, who is a veteran actress and director of the theatre's stage. Other roles include: Kelly Pitre, of Eunice, as Veta's daughter, Myrtle Mae; Joshua Carriere, of Eunice, as the sanitarium assistant, Wilson; Gabe Ortego, of Eunice, as Dr. Sanderson, who was awarded the Irving Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 44th awards program; Bonnie Pitre, of Eunice, as Nurse Kelly, who was awarded Best Actress trophy at the 44th Irvings Awards program; Wesley Saunders, of Pine Prairie, as Dr. Chumley; Melanie Beauregard, of Eunice, as Mrs. Betty Chumley; Cathy Dischler, of Eunice, as Mrs. Chauvenet; Kristi Burleigh, of Ville Platte, as the maid, Miss Johnson; Kevin Miller, of Ville Platte, as Judge Gaffney; and Michael Sanchez, of Eunice, as the taxi driver, E.J. Lofgren. The theatre is pleased to welcome Melanie Beauregard as she makes her debut on the theatre's stage.

"Harvey" is scheduled to open Wednesday, November 12, and continue November 13, 18, 20, and 22, with curtain at 7pm. There will be two Sunday matinees, November 16 and 23, with curtain at 2pm. Dinner theatre will be Wednesday, November 19, with a steak dinner catered by Ruby's Restaurant starting at 6pm. Tickets will go on sale starting November 3rd. For more information, please call Debi Crawford, 457-2979 or David's Hair Salon, 546-0163. The Eunice Players' Theatre is located at 121 South Second St. in the heart of the historic downtown section of Eunice.