Saturday, Jan. 31
6:30 p.m.
Pull-Tight Theater
112 2nd Ave S.
Franklin TN, 37064
Sunday, Feb. 1
2:30 p.m.
John Peppers Law Office
235 3rd. Ave. N.
Franklin TN, 37064
* Please note that the Feb. 1 audition is not at the theater.
Harvey, by Mary Chase, winner of the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is a whimsical comedy of errors about Elwood P. Dowd, a gentle, warmhearted man whose best friend happens to be an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey. When Elwood’s well-meaning sister Veta attempts to have him committed to a mental institution to preserve the family’s social standing, a series of comic misunderstandings ensues, resulting in Veta herself being mistakenly admitted. As doctors and relatives scramble to untangle the chaos, the play subtly challenges conventional ideas of sanity, suggesting that kindness, imagination, and compassion may matter more than societal notions of “normal.” Despite its status as a comedy classic, Harvey feels especially timely in today’s fast-paced digital world, offering a warm reminder that authentic human connection is what gives our lives meaning.
Production
Director: Stephanie Dillard
Producer: Carly Gresham
Stage Manager: Glenn Whelan
Performances: Apr. 10-12, 15-19, 22-25
First rehearsal: Feb. 10
Audition Requirements
All roles are available. This is a non-equity, volunteer production. The lobby opens a half hour before auditions begin for registration (6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively). Headshots and resumes are welcome but not required. Please come prepared to list all potential conflicts from Feb. 10 through March 27. No rehearsal or performance absences will be accepted after that date. Please note that there is a mandatory strike call for all cast and crew on Apr. 26. You may complete the audition form ahead of time or in person at the audition. For questions, email the director at harvey@pull-tight.com.
Please choose one monologue from the selections below to perform in an open audition. It does not need to be memorized. After all present have read, some may be asked to stay and cold read through sides. You do not need to attend both audition dates, but if you do, understand that priority will be given to those who haven’t been seen yet.
If needed, callbacks will take place the evening of Monday, Feb. 2 at a location yet to be determined.
People age 18 and up of all genders, races, and abilities are encouraged to audition. Some actors may perform multiple roles.
Roles
Elwood P. Dowd: The central character of the play, a charming eccentric whose best friend is Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit. Elwood is well-mannered, friendly and kind. He has the charm and manners of a gentleman of his time. Veta’s brother. (MALE/Lead/Age 40-60)
Veta Louise Simmons: Elwood’s sister. Veta has returned to the family home after the death of her mother and is intent on landing a suitable husband for her daughter, Myrtle Mae. She is anxious about helping her daughter fit in with “proper society.” She also loves her brother Elwood very much and feels conflicted about committing him to the sanitarium. (FEMALE/Lead/Age 40-60)
Myrtle Mae Simmons: Veta’s daughter (and Elwood’s niece). Both Veta and Myrtle are about the business of finding Myrtle a man to marry–a mission that is made impossible with Elwood and Harvey constantly popping in. Frustrated, deeply embarrassed, and a bit self-centered in the way of the young. (FEMALE/Supporting/Age 18-30)
Dr. William R. Chumley: An esteemed psychiatrist and the head of Chumley’s Experimental Rest Home for the Mentally Askew. He is a difficult, stern man who will go to any length to protect his reputation as one of the most renowned psychiatrists in the world, but his interactions with Elwood and Harvey reveal an unexpected vulnerability. Eventually becomes fascinated by – and even afraid of – Harvey. Has his own moment of breakdown. Dry comic timing. (MALE/Supporting/Age 50+)
Dr. Lyman Sanderson: A young and highly qualified psychiatrist, handpicked by Chumley. His talent is only surpassed by his vanity. Competent but sometimes pompous. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly as she is with him, though he struggles with shyness in her presence. (MALE/Supporting/Age 25-45)
Duane Wilson: The muscle of Chumley’s Rest, a devoted orderly responsible for “handling” the patients who will not cooperate voluntarily. Not the brightest bulb, but very loyal, with a crude charm. (MALE/Supporting/Age 25-55)
Nurse Ruth Kelly: An attractive young woman who has a love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson. Warm, compassionate nurse who looks for the best in people. (FEMALE/Supporting/Age 20-40)
Judge Omar Gaffney: An old family friend of the Dowds and the family’s lawyer. Perhaps a little in love with Veta. Definite representation of order and reason in the story. (MALE/Supporting/Age 50-70)
E.J. Lofgren: A cab driver whose monologue about their sanitarium passengers is crucial to the climax of the play. Blue-collar, practical, honest. Gives a speech about how sanitariums change people, which influences Veta’s final decision. (MALE/Featured/Age 25-55)
Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet: Elderly high-society Grande Dame who has known the Dowd family for years. Shocked by Elwood’s behavior but charmed by his politeness. (FEMALE/Featured/Age 65+)
Mrs. Betty Chumley: Dr. Chumley’s kind and talkative wife. Gentle and well-meaning. (FEMALE/Featured/Age 50+)
Miss Johnson: A maid in the Dowd household. (FEMALE/Featured/Age 18-65)
Audition Monologues
Please choose ONE monologue to perform. Memorization not required.
ELWOOD
Through door UL enters ELWOOD P. DOWD. He is a man about 47 years old with a dignified bearing, and yet a dreamy expression in his eyes. His expression is benign, yet serious to the point of gravity. He wears an overcoat and a battered old hat. This hat, reminiscent of the Joe College era, sits on the top of his head. Over his arm he carries another hat and coat. As he enters, although he is alone, he seems to be ushering and bowing someone else in with him. He bows the invisible person over to a chair. His step is light, his movements quiet and his voice low-pitched.
(To invisible person:) Excuse me a moment. I have to answer the phone. Make yourself comfortable, Harvey. (Phone rings.) Hello. Oh, you’ve got the wrong number. But how are you, anyway? This is Elwood P. Dowd speaking. I’ll do? Well, thank you. And what is your name, my dear? Miss Elsie Greenawalt? (To chair.) Harvey, it’s a Miss Elsie Greenawalt. How are you today, Miss Greenawalt? That’s fine. Yes, my dear. I would be happy to join your club. I belong to several clubs now – the University Club, the Country Club and the Pinochle [pronounced ˈpē-ˌnə-kəl] Club at the Fourth Avenue Firehouse. I spend a good deal of my time there, or at Charlie’s Place, or over at Eddie’s Bar. And what is your club, Miss Greenawalt? (He listens, then turns to empty chair.) Harvey, I get the Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping and the Open Road for Boys for two years for six twenty-five. (Back to phone.) It sounds fine to me. I’ll join it. (To chair.) How does it sound to you, Harvey? (Back to phone.) Harvey says it sounds fine to him also, Miss Greenawalt. He says he will join, too. Yes, two subscriptions. Mail everything to this address. . . . I hope I will have the pleasure of meeting you some time, my dear. Harvey, she says she would like to meet me. When? When would you like to meet me, Miss Greenawalt? Why not right now? My sister seems to be having a few friends in and we would consider it an honor if you would come and join us. My sister will be delighted. 345 Temple Drive. l hope to see you in a very few minutes. Goodbye, my dear. (Hangs up.) She’s coming right over. (Moves C. to HARVEY.) Harvey, don’t you think we’d better freshen up? Yes, so do I. (He takes up hats and coats and exits L.)
ELWOOD
Aunt Ethel – I want you to meet Harvey. As you can see, he’s a Pooka. (Turns toward the air beside him.) Harvey, you’ve heard me speak of Mrs. Chauvenet? We always called her Aunt Ethel. She is one of my oldest and dearest friends. (Inclines head toward space and goes “Hmm!” and then listens as though not hearing first time. Nods as though having heard someone next to him speak.) Yes, yes – that’s right. She’s the one. This is the one. (To Mrs. Chauvenet) He says that he would have know you anywhere. (Crossing to Veta and Myrtle Mae) You both look lovely. (Turning to the air next to him) Come on in with me, Harvey. We must say hello to all of our friends. (Bows to Mrs. Chauvenet) I beg your pardon, Aunt Ethel. If you’ll excuse me for one moment. (Puts his hand gently on her arm, trying to turn her.) You are standing in his way. Come along, Harvey. (He watches the invisible Harvey cross to door, then stops him.) Uh-uh! (ELWOOD goes over to door. He turns and pantomimes as he arranges the tie and brushes off the head of the invisible Harvey. Then he does the same thing to his own tie.) Go right on in, Harvey. I’ll join you in a minute. (He pantomimes as though slapping him on the back, and ushers him out. Then turns and comes back to MRS. CHAUVENET.) Aunt Ethel, I can see you are disturbed about Harvey. Please don’t be. He stares like that at everybody. It’s his way. But he liked you. I could tell. He liked you very much. (Pats her arm reassuringly, smiles at her, then calmly and confidently goes on out at R)
CHUMLEY
You went to medical school – you specialized in the study of psychiatry? You graduated – you went forth? Perhaps they neglected to tell you that a rabbit has large pointed ears! That a hat for a rabbit would have to be perforated to make room for those ears? Doctor – the function of a psychiatrist is to tell the difference between those who are reasonable, and those who merely talk and act reasonably. Do you realize what you have done to me? (Gestures to stop a reply) You don’t answer. I’ll tell you. You have permitted a psychopathic case to walk off these grounds and roam around with an overgrown white rabbit. You have subjected me, a psychiatrist, to the humiliation of having to call – of all things – a lawyer to find out who came out here to be committed, and who came out here to commit! I will now have to do something I haven’t done in fifteen years. I will have to go out after this patient, Elwood P. Dowd, and I will have to bring him back, and when I do bring him back, your connection with this institution is ended – as of that moment!
SANDERSON
(Going to Elwood, extending hand.) Mr. Dowd, I am Dr. Lyman Sanderson, Dr. Chumley’s assistant out here. Please sit down. Is that chair quite comfortable, Mr. Dowd? Now then, I can see that you’re not the type of person to be taken in by any high-flown phrases or beating about the bush. (Sits) You have us at a disadvantage here. You know it. We know it. Let’s lay the cards on the table. People are people, no matter where you go. And being human are therefore liable to mistakes. Miss Kelly and I have made a mistake here this afternoon, Mr. Dowd, and we’d like to explain it to you. Now, if I had seen your sister first – that would have been an entirely different story. You must not attach any blame to her. She is a very sick woman. Came in here insisting you were in need of treatment. Your sister was extremely nervous and plunged right away into a heated tirade on your drinking. (Crosses thoughtfully) Oh, I suppose you take a drink now and then – the same as the rest of us? (Elwood shakes his head “yes”) Well, your sister’s reaction to the whole matter of drinking was entirely too intense. Does your sister drink, Mr. Dowd? (Elwood shakes his head “no”) Well, I’m going to surprise you. I think she has and does – constantly. But it’s not her alcoholism that’s going to be the basis for my diagnosis of her case. It’s much more serious than that. It was when she began talking so emotionally about this big white rabbit…Harvey. Yes, I believe she called him Harvey. She claimed you were persecuting her with this Harvey. Now this trouble of your sister’s didn’t spring up overnight. Her condition stems from trauma. Spelled T-R-A-U-M-A. It means shock. To sum it all up – your sister’s condition is serious, but I can help her. She must, however, remain out here temporarily. It stands to reason nobody has ever seen a white rabbit six feet high. Under these circumstances I would commit my own grandmother. Now will you sign these temporary commitment papers as next of kin?
WILSON
How about giving me a lift here? That Simmons dame. Slick as a whistle. She was comin’ along the path hummin’ a little tune. I jumped out at her from behind a tree. I says, “Sister – there’s a man wants to see you.” Shoulda heard her yell! She’s whacky, all right. Brought her in through the diet kitchen. She’s screamin’ and kickin’ like hell. Somebody’s gonna have to give me a hand with her – order a restraining jacket or something. She’s terrible. But I got her corset off all by myself. She’s in a hydro tub now – my God – I left the water running on her! (Exits at a run.)
EJ LOFGREN
Listen, lady. I’ve been drivin’ this route for fifteen years. I’ve brought ’em out here to get that stuff and drove ’em back after they had it. It changes ’em. (Crosses to desk.) On the way out here they sit back and enjoy the ride. They talk to me. Sometimes we stop and watch the sunsets and look at the birds flyin’. Sometimes we stop and watch the birds when there ain’t no birds and look at the sunsets when it’s rainin’. We have a swell time, and I always get a big tip. But afterward – oh-oh. (Starts to exit again.) They crab, crab, crab. They yell at me to watch the lights, watch the brakes, watch the intersections. They scream at me to hurry. They got no faith – in me or my buggy – yet it’s the same cab – the same driver – and we’re goin’ back over the very same road. It’s no fun – and no tips – (Turns to door.) Lady, after this, he’ll be a perfectly normal human being, and you know what bastards they are! Glad I met you. I’ll wait. (Exits L.)
VETA
Doctor, l’ve been telling you. Harvey is a rabbit – a big white rabbit – six feet high – or is it six feet and a half? Heavens knows I ought to know. He’s been around the house Iong enough. (Impatient.) Doctor – do I have to keep repeating myself? My brother insists that his closest friend is this big white rabbit. This rabbit is named Harvey. Harvey lives at our house. Don’t you understand? He and Elwood go every place together. Elwood buys railroad tickets, theater tickets, for both of them. As I told Myrtle Mae – if your uncle was so lonesome he had to bring something home – why couldn’t he bring home something human? He has me, doesn’t he? He has Myrtle Mae, doesn’t he? (She leans forward.) Doctor – (She rises to him.) I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anybody in the world before. (Leaning in) Every once in a while, I see that big white rabbit myself. Now isn’t that terrible? I’ve never even told that to Myrtle Mae. (Straightening.) And what’s more – he’s every bit as big as Elwood says he is. Now don’t ever tell that to anybody, Doctor. I’m ashamed of it. (Sighing) Well, I’m finished with it. I’ll sell the house – be appointed conservator of Elwood’s estate, and Myrtle Mae and I will be able to entertain our friends in peace. It’s too much, Doctor. I just can’t stand it.
VETA
Oh, Elwood! Hear that, Judge! Hear that, Doctor! That’s what we have to put up with. (Turns to Elwood) Elwood, I’m only thinking of you. You’re my brother and I’ve known you for years. I’d do anything for you. That Harvey wouldn’t do anything for you. He’s making a fool out of you, Elwood. Don’t be a fool. Why, you could amount to something. You could be sitting on the Western Slope Water Board right now if you’d only go over and ask them. I never want to see another tomorrow. Not if Myrtle Mae and I have to live in the house with that rabbit. Our friends never come to see us – we have NO social life; we have no life at all. We’re both miserable. I wish I were dead – but maybe you don’t care!
MYRTLE MAE
Come on! Miss Tewksbury is almost finished with her number. What if they don’t give her a lot of applause? (Crossing UR, looking through door) Mother, please – she’s almost finished! And where’s the cateress? Mother – come! Mrs. Chauvenet just came in! (Dejected, crossing to sit) But what difference will all this make? We can’t have anyone here in the evenings, and that’s when men come to see you – in the evenings. The only reason we can even have a party this afternoon is because Uncle Elwood is playing pinochle at the Fourth Avenue Firehouse. Thank God for the firehouse! But this party doesn’t even matter, because whenever I do meet someone, they say, “That’s Myrtle Mae Simmons! Her uncle is Elwood P. Dowd – the biggest screwball in town. Elwood P. Dowd and his pal Harvey.” Damn Harvey! (Rising and crossing L.)
KELLY
Oh no, I can’t believe it! But Doctor – I didn’t know it was the woman who needed the treatment. She said it was for her brother. I thought the woman was all right, so I had Wilson take the brother up to No. 24 South Wing G. He’s there now! Oh, Doctor, I’m terribly sorry. (Dials phone.) Miss Dunphy – will you please unlock the door to Number 24 – and give Mr. Dowd his clothes, and…and ask him to step down to the office right away. There’s been a terrible mistake, and Dr. Sanderson wants to explain. (Hanging up and turning to Sanderson.) Thank heaven they hadn’t put him in a hydro tub yet. She’ll let him out. (Crosses to Sanderson.) Doctor – I feel terrible. I didn’t know. Judge Gaffney called and said Mrs. Simmons and her brother would be out here, and when she came in here….Oh, Dr. Chumley will be furious. I know he will. He’ll die. And then he’ll terminate me! But what shall I say to him? What shall I do? He’ll be furious!
