Hop On Over to Harvey this Weekend!!!

You'll believe a giant rabbit can be your best friend!

This marvelous classic is being performed to perfection by WACT (Waycross Area Community Theatre). Its final weekend is this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, wrapped up with a special Sunday matinee!

The show's first weekend lost two performances over cautions concerning Hurricane Ian. Although, in the end, Ian missed us, causing virtually no problems, the theatre canceled the first two nights under the philosophy "better safe than sorry." WACT was not alone as school, and most planned events were canceled or delayed. To make up for this, WACT added a matinee for Sunday, October 9th.

The show is filled with laughs, sweet sentiments, and top-notch acting. Director Danny Godwin has done an awesome job assembling and fine-tuning a gifted cast who fit their parts to a tee.

 Meet the cast of WACT's upcoming production of "Harvey": Colby Eggleston, Kayla Dixon, Ethan Mitchell, Jay Butler, Amy Worthington, Elizabeth Godwin, Liv McConney, Jaela Rogers-Undercuffer, Tom Strait, Barry Lyle.

One of the best decisions Danny made was to move the show from black and white to color. By that, I mean he moved Harvey from its original 40s setting to the present. It gives the play an extra jolt of vitality and vigor. Language is somewhat altered, but mostly it is done through costuming and characterization.

The most significant and most effective transformation comes with the character of Myrtle Mae (Elwwod's niece, Veta's daughter). In the original, she is a somewhat mousy, reserved character who unsuccessfully rebels against her mother's domination. In her current version, as portrayed by the very talented Jaela-Rogers Undecuffer (whom I last performed with in The Addams Family as Morticia), she is much more sassy and intelligent, costumed in a very modern/hip fashion, with multi-color hair and vibrant makeup. In the original, her character almost fades into the background. In this version, she is front and center, one of the show's most interesting and entertaining characters.

Elwood, played by Colby Eggleston, is also updated, wearing an AC/DC t-shirt, current hair styling (including parts that don't need hair styling), and some piercings. He is very relaxed and charming, and however you feel about the rabbit, he rarely fails to charm and wins people to his side.

Veta, played by one of my favorite WACT actresses, Kayla Dizon, is a bundle of anxieties and brings the part to life. It is a great pleasure to act opposite her, as I can depend on her reactions and timing to be impeccable. She is equally talented onstage and off and is one of WACT's premiere backstage talents, including directing and stage managing.

Always a fan favorite, Ethan Mitchell plays Dr. Sanderson, bringing another somewhat bland character to roaring life with his brilliant portrayal.

Barry Lyle plays Dr. Chumey, bringing the character through a fantastic journey from stuffed shirt skeptic to wild-eyed acceptance.

Duane Wilson, the gruff sanitarium attendant, played by Jay Butler, accents his part with just the right amount of resistance and charm (well, at least to Myrtle Mae). And Nurse Kelly is delivered with expertise and vitality by Elizabeth Godwin, who, like many nurses, has to weave between the behavior lines of arrogant and intense doctors.

Playing two parts each, Amy Worthington and Liv McConney, are four extraordinary characters that give depth and humor to this wonderful show.

I'm in it, too, playing the same part as I did in 9th grade, elderly Judge Gaffney. Same part, less makeup. I'll let you decide whether I'm any good. Recently, someone asked me if I was a "method actor."  Nah.  Nothing like that. I try to follow the "method" that Spencer Tracy said once "Say your lines and try not to run into the furniture."*

Please come out and see this show! They deserve your support, and you will not be disappointed - you will be massively entertained!

What a start to a 50th season!

*well, he said something like that. I think.