‘Harvey’ coming to Carson City

A six-foot rabbit is coming to Carson City.

“Harvey” will be on stage with the Proscenium Players at the Brewery Arts Center’s Maizie Harris Jesse Black Box Theater for the next two weeks, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Those familiar with the 1950 film of the same name know Harvey as the constant but probably imaginary companion of the affable Elwood P. Dowd.

But before “Harvey” was a comedy starring James Stewart it was a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Mary Chase.

The BAC production features 11 characters, including Dowd, played by Jody Paslov; his distraught sister Veta, played by Shelia Steele; Veta’s lovelorn daughter, Myrtle, played by Sara Meierdierck; and Dr. Chumley, played by Norman Subotky.

The plot is simple.

Elwood, as calm and carefree as his friend is invisible, is surrounded by a whirlwind of embarrassed family and well-meaning physicians who want to give Harvey the boot. But Elwood, and his fanciful friend, may have a firmer grasp on reality than Veta, Dr. Chumley and everyone else trying to set them straight.

Auditions for the play took place late last year and the Proscenium Players have been rehearsing twice a week since January. The group started a technical run-through, which included the set, sound and lighting, this week.

“Actors on Sunday got to see where the doors are and actually walk through them,” said Rachelle Resnick, the director.

“Judge Gaffney is getting practice slamming the door.”

Instead of switching out sets, the stage will feature two sets — Veta’s house and the sanitarium where they’re trying to help Elwood. Lighting will switch between the two, leaving one set lit while in use and the other dark.

“One of the neat things we did was use part of the set from ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ as sort of an homage,” said Resnick, referring to the play from the same time period the Proscenium Players put on last October.

Resnick, who’s directing for the first time after years of acting and working in theater, has also been busy gathering period props such as phones and magazines.

She also found the music from the 1940s that plays while the audience comes in, between scenes and during intermission.

“That was fun for me,” said Resnick. “I love music of that era.”

Kendra Vallodon, who’s in charge of the lights, helped with the music. Cindi Pardini is the stage manager and plays the part of Mrs. Chauvenet.

Jeff Fast is the technical director.

Performances are Friday and Saturday and April 29-30 at 7 p.m., and Sunday and May 1 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at the BAC website, breweryarts.org, or by calling the arts center at 883-1976 or at the door before a performance if still available.

Tickets prices are $13 for members of BAC or the Proscenium Players, $15 in advance or $17 at the door.

The BAC is located at 449 W. King St.