Photo Flash: First Look at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's HARVEY

In celebration of its 70th Anniversary, Milwaukee Repertory Theater mounts a new production of Mary Chase's Harvey, the classic American comedy that won the Pulitzer Prize, played for 1,775 performances on Broadway and was immortalized by Jimmy Stewart's iconic 1950 film. Directed by KJ Sanchez, who returns to The Rep after last year's hilarious and sold-out production of Noises Off, Harvey will welcome back to the Quadracci Powerhouse stage Rep Associate Artists Jonathan Gillard Daly, Laura Gordon, James Pickering, and Deborah Staples. A perfect offering for the whole family just in time for the holidays, Harvey is sure to fill the theater with laughter and delight with its timeless tale of finding one's place in the world.

Described as having "real charm . . . guileless simplicity . . . cast(s) a satisfying spell," by The New York Times, Harvey tells the amazing story of Elwood P. Dowd, a sweet, somewhat eccentric man, who just happens to have a six-foot-tall rabbit "pooka", visible only to him. Elwood's behavior relating to his invisible friend is a constant source of frustration for his long-suffering family. When his social-climbing sister attempts to have him committed to an asylum, she learns she'd rather have Elwood just as he is - kind, caring, genial, at peace with the world and his place in it - than turn him into something he's not.

The cast for Harvey also includes guest artists Laurie Birmingham, Justin Brill, Kelley Faulkner, Richard Halverson, and Gabriel Ruiz, as well as 2014/15 Artistic Intern Ensemble Members Kristina Joy, Chris O'Reilly, and Leeanna Rubin.

"On the surface, Harvey is a gentle comedy, but it's really about the right to exist and the right to individuality: great values in this country, but ones which don't necessarily fit with a lot of people's perceptions," says Artistic Director Mark Clements. "We all feel like we're free and have the right to be who we are, to live the American Dream, but we often don't. Harvey features several of our Associate Artists and will be directed by KJ Sanchez. She has been very successful at staging beautiful grand-scale productions of classic American dramas while giving them a fresh feel."

Director KJ Sanchez added: "This play is as charming, funny and profound as ever. I'm delighted to return to Milwaukee, thrilled to work on Harvey, which has been on my bucket list for years, and honored to work with Jon Daly again, an actor with so much soul and heart who was born to play Elwood P. Dowd."

The Executive Producer for Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of Harvey is Judy Hansen. The Media Sponsor for this production is OnMilwaukee.com. The Quadracci Powerhouse Season is sponsored by H. Richard Quadracci Ewens and Emilio Cabrera in memory of Harry and Betty Quadracci.

Harvey Tickets

Tickets for Harvey begin at $20.00. Single Tickets for all of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 productions are now on sale and can be purchased online 24/7 at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, through The Rep's Ticket Office by calling 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street. Group tickets are also available for purchase by calling Group Sales Manager Joy Surber at 414-290-5340.

To learn more about The Rep or its productions, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow