FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: April 16, 2014
CONTACT: Randall Hartzog,Theatre Memphis, Director of Marketing and Communications
rhartzog@theatrememphis.org 901.682.8601
Harvey Hops to Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis initial_pr_harvey.docx
Memphis, TN – Harvey, a time-honored classic
comedy, opens April 25, 2014 and runs through May 11, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage
at Theatre Memphis. The lead character, Elwood P. Dowd, is inseparable from his
best friend and confidant, Harvey, an over six-foot magical white rabbit. Only Elwood
can see Harvey so is it any wonder Elwood’s family decides a peaceful sanatorium
might be suitable for him – and Harvey?
As it turns out, a sanatorium is the perfect place for a comedy of
errors that proves Elwood and Harvey may be the sanest characters around.
Director John Rone has assembled a cast that
includes many Theatre Memphis veterans and TM newcomer, Zach Pless in the lead
role of Elwood. Pless, a recent graduate of Rhodes College, has performed in
various roles during his time at Rhodes College in the McCoy Theatre and is now
taking on Memphis community stage roles to the delight of Rone. “I think Zach
is a remarkably gifted young actor, “ Rone says. “ Since I work at Rhodes, I
try to attend all the productions at the McCoy Theatre on campus. I noticed Zach
in a small role in McCoy’s production of The Elephant Man when
he was a first year student. I have enjoyed watching his progress through
larger and more important roles during his college years.” Evidence of his growth is that Pless was
awarded the top honors for Actor in a Leading Role, College Division (for his
role as the Baker in Into the Woods)
at the 2013 Ostranders (Memphis Theatre Awards). The remainder of the cast includes: Ann G. Sharp, Robbie
Phillips, John Reynolds, Jo Lynne Palmer, Parker Dinwiddie, Jason Spitzer,
Brian Everson, Lena Wallace, Jillian Barron and Chris Tracy.
Theatre
Memphis Executive Director Debbie Litch muses, “I think it is so great to be
able to present such a quirky, funny classic show. Harvey is so accessible to all ages and we love our family friendly
shows. So many times our patrons just want to be entertained and not challenged
… well, I challenge anyone to not
like Harvey.” Rone agrees, “There are some
serious themes woven throughout the play and I thought at first I would want to
bring those to the forefront. But during rehearsal I realized that all I really
wanted to do was to make the show as funny as possible and try my best to
realize the vision of the playwright, Mary Chase.”
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TITLE: Harvey
WRITTEN BY: Mary Chase
DIRECTOR: John Rone
VENUE
AND ADDRESS: Theatre
Memphis on the Lohrey Stage, 630 Perkins Ext, Memphis, TN, 38117
RUN
DATES: April
25 – May11, 2014
TIMES OF SHOWS:
Thursdays @ 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm with matinees
@ 2pm on Sundays
TICKETS: $25 adults,
$15 students with valid ID, $10 children 11 and under
BOX
OFFICE: 901.682.8323
WEB: www.theatrememphis.org
SPONSORED BY: Dorothy O. Kirsch and
Pageboy Salon & Spa
Production photos available 4/22/14.
Theatre Memphis is a
not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended (corner
of Perkins Extended and Southern) and is a community theatre whose mission is to
provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of our audiences
and participants.