Invisible rabbit steals the show: a review of Licklog's "Harvey"
Harrison Keely Sentinel Writer

Director Vianne Payne and Wayne Roshaven (Elwood P. Dowd) share a light moment following the opening night performance of the Licklog Player's "Harvey."

EDITOR'S NOTE: To see video from opening night, go to www.smokymountainsentinel.com.

When was the last time you went to a show and sat through the whole thing without seeing the star? Most people would feel disappointed and cheated. A few might ask for their money back. Well, that happened to me recently.

I attended the opening night of the Licklog Players' production of "Harvey" at the Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville, N.C.

The show is about Elwood P. Dowd, a curious man (played by local stage veteran Wayne Roshaven) whose best friend happens to be a very mischievous hare (or Pookah, according to the Encyclopedia's mythology pages). The rabbit, who carries the title role of the show, is an unending torment to Dowd's sister Veta (Virginia Mattox) and her daughter Myrtle Mae (Michelle Stewart).

Seeking to rid her home of the unsightly creature, Veta seeks help for Dowd at a local sanitarium. There she runs first into Nurse Kelly (played by Whitney Harrell), then Doctor Lyman Sanderson (Chris Evans) and eventually Dr. Chumley (David Spivey).

Like a comedy should, Harvey maintains a fast-pace with quick comedic timing. The show provides laughs from the first minute to the last.

Director Vianne Payne kept her record of honing humor to an art. Payne crafted many outrageous characters into people the audience could love.

Roshaven played Dowd perfectly, perhaps living beyond the expectations of Mary Chase's unique script. The gentleness and calm nature he put into the role juxtaposed all else going on in every situation.

Mattox was priceless as the insanely driven sister. Throughout her performance she whittled away an uptight socialite into a crazed accuser and, by the end of the show, still found heart.

The character of Myrtle opened and closed the show an archetype of her mother in many ways. Stewart handled the role with grace and poise, though providing a character in strict opposition to her uncle's behavior, which, in essence, helped to carry the show.

Harrell's performance of Nurse Kelly provided a departure from the remainder of the show, giving the plot another dimension and drawing the caring side of Dowd while engaged in a subplot of what appears to be an unhealthy relationship with Dr. Sanderson. Harrell's expressions assist the audience along the journey to understand and join in her confusion as she struggles with how to accept being treated.

In a remarkable debut performance on the Peacock stage, Chris Evans, a native of Franklin, carried his character (Dr. Sanderson) with the youthful energy and lack of professionalism that the role calls for.

Spivey, no stranger to the playhouse, sculpted yet another memorable character in Dr. Chumley. Playing the role to the fullest extent, Spivey was a leading cause of laughs. In the first act he masters a character in the pursuit of excellence, while degrading throughout the remainder of the show.

Chuck Shissler played the role of Wilson, a guard at the sanitarium. His thick muscles and hefty voice contributed greatly to the feel of the show, adding a sense of urgency and importance.

Various other small roles included Mrs. Chauvinet (BJ McFalls), Mrs. Chumley (Kay Thomas) and the cab driver (Micah Robinson). Tom Payne played Judge Gaffney, executing a pensive character with punctuality.

The set design was clever if little else. The back and forth scene changes between two locations (a home living room and the office of the sanitarium) had to be committed quickly and without fail in only minutes. The scene changes would do better to run just a bit snappier, though ultimately, they didn't detract from the show. Overall, however, Pat Hegstrom, provided a set that was pleasing to the eye.

The show's sound design was creative and worth praise, though a few mistakes were evident, especially in looped pieces.

Overall, the show was a delightful comedy and likely some of the best entertainment in the region this summer. I recommend the show because I enjoyed watching the characters and laughing with the audience. It's well worth the ticket price to see the show, not just the rabbit (which you probably won't see anyway).

To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@gmail.com.