Mainstage: Harvey

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About the Play

By Mary Chase
Directed by Peter Pasyk*

Harvey is a classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy written by Mary Chase in 1944, in hopes of bringing joy and laughter to a grieving community after WWII. It is the story of Elwood P. Dowd and his imaginary best friend, Harvey, a six-foot tall rabbit. In order to save the family’s reputation, Elwood’s sister, Veta Louise, takes him to a sanitarium. But Elwood eludes the psychiatrists who wish to cure him and make him normal again.

Director's Notes

“I was raised on Irish folk tales told to me by my uncles. I had four bachelor uncles. I think that’s always had an impact on my work.” – Mary Chase


In our rehearsals for this show we often asked: Is Harvey real? We never could answer the question conclusively. It only opened up further metaphysical inquiries into what is the definition of “real”?
 
Mary Chase’s Harvey is a delightful and timeless comedy. It is deceptive in the depths it explores. Perhaps that is why the play has touched so many over the decades. Harvey is distinguished as one of the longest-running plays on Broadway; it has enjoyed multiple revivals internationally, as well as film and TV adaptations. Despite its great screen adaptations, I think this story still works best in the theatre because it is where we gather to engage in a kind of collective imagining. It is where we do the very thing that is questioned throughout this play. If several people sitting in a theatre imagine the same thing at the same time, is it any more real than the imaginary best friend of the person talking to themselves on the street corner? I don’t know, but I can say that, as a theatre-maker, imagination is my livelihood. I get to spend a lot of time up in my head, and sometimes that’s the only place that feels real enough. But I should save this for my therapist...
 
I am honoured to have been invited to direct this modern classic at the George Brown Theatre School with this talented group of actors. They are the future of theatre. May their imaginations flourish and inspire.

 

Performance Schedule:

  • Wednesday, February 7, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Thursday, February 8, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Friday, February 9, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Saturday, February 10, 2024 -- 1:30PM
  • Saturday, February 10, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Tuesday, February 13, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Wednesday, February 14, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Thursday, February 15, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Friday, February 16, 2024 -- 7:30PM
  • Saturday, February 17, 2024 -- 1:30PM
  • Saturday, February 17, 2024 -- 7:30PM

Location:
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
50 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

Running Time:

~ 140 minutes (including intermission)

Cost:

Regular: $25
Senior (65+ - ID required): $20.00
Student (ID required): $10

Get your tickets

Creatives

Peter Pasyk*, Director

Peter is an acclaimed theatre director who has worked with Canada’s leading theatre companies including Stratford Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Soulpepper, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Canadian Stage. Peter directed the world premières of Jordan Tannahill’s Late Company (Theatre Centre), Rosamund Small’s Sisters (Soulpepper), and Rosa Laborde’s Like Wolves (GCTC). Peter’s Doranominated productions include The Nether, Killer Joe, Dying City, When the World Was Green and The Jones Boy. As a filmmaker Peter co-wrote one of Poland’s highest grossing feature films: Planeta Singli (Planet Single), and recently directed the pilot of a new Polish comedy TV series. In 2022, Peter directed the 2022 flagship production of Hamlet at the Stratford Festival. Most recently he directed the Stratford Festival’s 2023 production of Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Michael Panich*, Stage Manager

George Brown Theatre School: Munsch Garden, Low Pay? Don’t Pay!, The Children’s Hour, Engaged, Per Gint, Blood Wedding, The Corsican Complaint, Love & Information, The Witch of Edmonton, Three Sisters & Co, Metamorphoses, Planet Munsch, You Never Can Tell, It’s Munsch Time, Munsch Goes to School, Munsch-o-Mania, Munsch All Over, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Elsewhere: John Ware Reimagined, Cottagers and Indians (Blyth Festival). Suddenly Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare in Action), The Rainbow Fish, Stella-Queen of the Snow (Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia), Stories from Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Lighthouse Festival Theatre), Canada in Love, Remember that Song, The Legend of Dan McGrew (Smile Theatre), Outlaw (The Foster Festival), It’s Okay to be Different, The Rainbow Fish and Stella, Queen of the Snow (Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia). Michael graduated from Concordia University’s theatre program in 2008. In addition to stage managing, Michael is also a production manager, actor and set/light designer.

 

Headshot of costume designer Brandon Kleiman
Brandon Kleiman, Set and Costume Design

Brandon is a set and costume designer based in Toronto with work appearing on stages across Canada, most recently; Mamma Mia (Drayton Entertainment), Boy Falls From The Sky (Mirvish Productions), and Blackout (Musical Stage Co. and Canadian Stage Company). Up next he’s designing the set for Rent (Stratford Festival),The Little Shop of Horrors (Port Hope Festival), and The Sound of Music (Thousand Islands Playhouse). Brandon is a multiple Dora award nominee and two time winner. He recently won a Merritt Award for his work bringing Viola Desmond to life in the world premier of Controlled Damage at Neptune Theatre in Halifax. For more information and to see his portfolio please visit www.brandonkleimandesign.com

Logan Cracknell, Lighting Design

Logan Raju Cracknell is a Toronto-based theatre artist specializing in theatrical design and live stream creation. Their work has taken them across the country and they are truly excited to see what journeys lie ahead. Recent works include: Alice in Wonderland (Bad Hats/Soulpepper), Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Theatre Calgary), Turn The Page (Theatre Sheridan), Dixon Road (The Musical Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre), As You Like It/Dream In High Park (Canadian Stage Company), William Shakespeare’s As You Like It: A Radical Retelling by Cliff Cardinal and Orphans for the Czar (Crow’s Theatre).

Scott Banks
Scott Banks, Sound Design

Scott is a freelance production manager, technical director, and sound designer in the GTA. Scott attended the University of Waterloo, earning a Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre. Since those days, he has been around the world and back, working on cruise ships for 7 years in the production department. He has worked in the corporate and music sectors with companies such as PSAV, Freeman AV, Snap Hoek and PRG. His real love is theatre, though, and he has been involved with various theatres around the country, from Watermark Theatre in PEI (Production Manager, Canada 300 national tour), to Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg, MB (Interim Production Manager, 2013-2014 season) to 4TH Line Theatre in Millbrook, ON (Production Manager).  This is Scott’s 7TH season with George Brown Theatre School, and he is happy to be back to help these young theatre artists as they grow and learn.

 

Music Composed by Micaela Morey

 

 

Cast

Danny Brozovich
Danny Brozovich – Miss E.J. Lofgren

Danny (they/them) is an actor and artist from the Durham Region in Ontario. Danny is finishing their third and final year of George Brown Theatre School, and is looking forward to discovering more queer and femme theatre after graduation. They’re excited for the upcoming George Brown Theatre School season. Previous credits for George Brown Theatre School include: The Rover (Don Pedro/Sancho), The Basset Table (Ensign Lovely), Problem Child (Helen), Munsch Garden (Elena/Various), and A View from the Bridge (Beatrice).

Bella Du Toit
Bella Du Toit – Mrs Chauvenet's companion #2, nurse at Chumley's

Bella (she/her) is an emerging artist currently in her final year at the George Brown Theatre School. Growing up in Calgary, Bella found the beginning of a passion for the arts in music and dance classes, before moving to London and falling in love with theatre on the West End. Since then, she has cultivated her passion for acting through theatre workshops, school plays, singing and music training. Moving to Toronto to pursue acting has been a pivotal step in her journey, where she has had the privilege of training under several inspiring directors and mentors in the conservatory theatre training program, and made lifelong friends. Through acting, Bella has found a home, and is incredibly excited to share it with you. Thank you for all your continuous support; enjoy the show!

Gabrielle Forsey
Gabrielle Forsey – Betty Chumley

Gabrielle (she/her) was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Secondary). Some of her past stage appearances include: La Cage aux Folles as Colette/MC, Rent, We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar (TaDa! Ent.), 1984 as O’Brien (AOR Presents), Dracula (AOR Presents), The Vagina Monologues (V-Day: St. John's), Scrooge the Musical (Peter MacDonald Prod.), Shrek: The Musical, Godspell (Etcetera Prod.), Fame! The Musical (Theatre St. John’s), and The Curious Case in the Colony as Anne (Shakespeare by the Sea). Some of her favorite scene study roles at George Brown have included Berinthia in The Relapse (dir. Jeannette Lambermont-Morey) and Rosalind in As You Like It (dir. Jordan Pettle). Gabrielle also recently appeared in the feature film Massacre at Femur Creek as Jamie.

Maya Granic
Maya Granic – Miss Johnson, Ensemble

Maya (she/her) is an actor born and raised in the west end of Toronto. She found her passion for acting through her love of dance. She trained in classical ballet for most her life and soon realized what she loved most about dance was telling a story. After attending both an arts middle school and high school, where she focused on acting, she decided to continue her theatre education at George Brown Theatre School. She is grateful for the personal and professional growth this program has provided and can't wait to take the next steps in her career. Thank you for coming to see the George Brown Theatre Company crush it on stage. 

Dieter Lische-Parkes
Dieter Lische-Parkes – Elwood P. Dowd

Dieter (he/him) is super excited for this year's season at George Brown, some select credits include YES/STC production of Romeo and Juliet where he had the pleasure of playing Paris and others this past summer, YES/STC production of Hockey Dreams, YES/STC’s The Wizard of Oz, The Rover (Belvile), Alice in Wonderland (The White Rabbit), The Theory of relativity (Mike) and various other YES Cabarets and more. Dieter has also had the opportunity to venture into film in 2022 where he completed two movies, Mistletoe Time Machine (Crave), I’m Glad it’s Christmas (CTV). Alongside Acting Dieter dances having choreographed over 30 pieces! When he’s not on stage you can catch him crocheting and running his small business. He cannot wait to perform and hopes you all enjoy the show.

Michael Manning – Pianist, Prospective buyer, Hospital patient

Michael (he/him) is a Toronto based actor, director, choreographer, and writer who is incredibly excited to present this season of plays with his fellow actors in the third year George Brown ensemble. Prior to George Brown, Michael attended the University of Toronto, contributed to multiple award-winning student productions, and was a recipient of the 2017/2018 Dr. David E. Gardener Apprentice Director Program.  Select Credits Include, Acting Stage: A Line in the Sand (Mercer, George Brown Theatre School) Venice Preserv'd (Jaffier, George Brown Theatre School), Statistics (Dr. Wilkins, Toronto Fringe) and Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford, Ember Island Players). Production Stage: The Last Piece (Director, MD Productions), Of a Blank Canvas... (Writer, Toronto Fringe), Us Against Everyone (Assistant Director, Toronto Fringe) and Beauty and The Beast (Choreographer, St. Michael's College Troubadours).

 

Julia Mitin
Julia Mitin – Miss Kelly

Julia (she/her) is an Edmonton and Toronto based artist and actor. This being her final year of theatre school at George Brown she is so excited for the opportunity to share this season. She is hopes to create and participate in work for and about women once her time at George Brown has commenced. Her selected credits include: Amanda in The Relapse (George Brown Theatre School), Lisa in The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Faith in Columbinus, (Citadel Theatre), and Hermia in A Midsummers Night Dream (Thou Art Here theatre co.) 

Micaela Morey
Micaela Morey – Dr. Wilhelmina Chumley

Micaela (she/her) was born and raised in Toronto, ON. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, and is currently studying Theatre Performance at George Brown Theatre School. She is a professional actor, singer, musician, and theatre creator, and is currently the Co-Artistic Director of Pirate Life Theatre Toronto and Hamilton. She is thrilled to be diving into this exciting season of plays! Notable credits include: Acting Stage: Character 2 in Of A Blank Canvas…(Toronto Fringe), Belvidera in Venice Preserved, Lory in The Relapse, Mayor Troubleweather in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School), Helen in Bye Bye Birdie (O’Neill CVI Performing Arts Program), Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (Athabasca Theatre Troupe), Robin/Fairy in The Merry Wives of Windsor (DareDen Theatre Inc). Film/TV: Alice in Catastrophe (Short Film, Blue Shift). Other: Magpie (Director, The Music Gallery), Pygmalion (Musical Director, The Guild Festival Theatre). 

Sophie Oldford
Sophie Oldford – Mrs. Chauvenet's companion #1, nurse at Chumley's

Sophie (she/her) is a Toronto based artist who focuses her energy on Acting, Dancing, Photography and Music. She has called Toronto home for the last couple of years since attending George Brown Theatre School, but before then she spent her formative years in Houston, Texas. Sophie is thrilled to be a part of the show and working beside her talented ensemble of peers, whom she admires and looks forward to this season with!

Vica Pelivan
Vica Pelivan – Mrs. Chauvenet

Vica (she/her) is a Toronto based actor from Croatia. She has been training and working as an actor for last ten years. Some of her mentors include the pioneers of Croatian theatre, actresses Kostadinka Velkovska and Ksenija Prohaska. Vica wanted to be an actress since small age ever since she stepped on the stage, first as a ballet dancer. Her most recent work includes the role of Lord Foppington in The Relapse by John Vanbrugh and the role of Bearnice in The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble by Beth Graham. In her spare time, she works as a specialty coffee manager, she makes an amazing cup of coffee when she is not busy walking and petting her two dogs Frida and Shadow.

Tessa Danielle Rusgnak
Tessa Danielle Rusgnak – Judge Olive Gaffney

Tessa (they/them) is a non-binary musician and actor from Sudbury Ontario, currently based in Toronto. Tessa is finishing up their third year at George Brown Theatre School and is excited to begin this new season of plays. You can look forward to seeing their upcoming music releasing in the new year. Selected credits include, Theatre: Ned Blunt in The Rover, Buckle/Captain Firebrand in The Basset Table, Lavinia Penniman in The Heiress (George Brown Theatre School), Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Sudbury Secondary). Vocal Directing: The Last Piece (Musical Direct Productions). Stage Managing: [In-] (One Night Only Festival, Space Space Revolution). Follow Tessa on Instagram @tessa.daniellee 

Misha Sharivker
Misha Sharivker – Wilson

Misha (he/him) is a queer Toronto-based artist and producer with a passion for creating theatre that drives a change in the heart. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph, where he was published for his research on drug addiction. In the future, Misha is looking to explore the art of directing and playwriting. Misha would like to thank his friends, family, and the entire Third Year ensemble for their continued love and support. Notable credits, Stage: Character Three in Of A Blank Canvas… (TO Fringe 2023), David in The Beloved (Highland Arts Theatre), Willmore in The Rover, Sir James in The Basset Table, and Dr. Sprout in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School). Musicals: William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Curtain Call Productions) and David XLII/Duke Enoch in The Forgotten Baroness (Workshop Reading). Instagram: @msharivk

Aisha Shennawy
Aisha Shennawy – Party guest, prospective buyer

Aisha (she/her) is an Egyptian-Canadian actor and visual artist trained at George Brown Theatre School. She is originally from Ottawa, where she was raised amongst the Muslim community. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural studies from the Azrieli School of Architecture, where she also discovered a passion for acting. Aisha is committed to exploring untold stories and the deeply human truths they reveal. She was recently nominated for the 2023 Hnatyshyn Emerging Artist Award.

Notable theatre credits include: Venice Preserved as Pierre (dir. Jordan Pettle), The Relapse (dir. Jeannette-Lambermont Morey), Munsch Garden (dir. Christopher Stanton), and Anjou as Margaret of Anjou in the Ottawa Fringe Festival

Notable film credits include: I Need A Christmas Vacation as Patty (prod. Songwind Studios), The Gift (prod. Moonrise Productions), and We Are The Missing (dir. Andrew JD Robinson).

 

Ganesh Thava
Ganesh Thava – Dr. Sanderson

Ganesh (he/him) is a Toronto-based actor, writer, director and producer from Sri Lanka. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from Ryerson University and is studying Theatre Performance at George Brown Theatre School. He directed the award-winning Toronto Fringe show My Korean Canadian Friend. His debut short, The Orchid & The Tree, screened in Canada, the US, India, Indonesia and South Korea. Ganesh is proud to launch into the industry with an exciting season alongside an incredible ensemble. Notable credits include: Acting Stage: Robert in The Beloved (Highland Arts Theatre), Loveless in The Relapse, Priuli in Venice Preserv’d, Dr. Austin Sloper in The Heiress, Narrator in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School), Russ in The Bad Play (Artist in Residence), Detective Lawson in The Incident (Oakham Theatre Company). Film/TV: AJ in Bark (Panoptic Pictures), Luke in The Most Dangerous Game (CBS Studios), Cook in Spin (Disney Studios).

 

Trinity Thibeault
Trinity Thibeault – Myrtle Mae Simmons

Trinity (she/her) is an artist from Sudbury Ontario and is super excited to be working alongside her beautiful class of 3rd years! Some selected credits outside of theatre school include Ride The Cyclone (Ocean), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio) at Yes theatre. Trinity enjoys anything musical theatre, cooking good meals and laughing very loud with her friends. She is so thankful for the people who are here to listen, support and watch us play.

 

Emmanuela Van Allen
Emmanuela Van Allen – Veta Louise Simmons

Emmanuela (she-her) is a Sudbury-born and raised artist who found her passion for performing at a young age. She is passionate about theatre that moves people, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classical and contemporary works. Emmanuela still cannot believe she is in her final year of Theatre School! Select theatre credits include Romeo And Juliet (Lady Capulet), The Wizard of Oz at YES Theatre/Sudbury Theatre Centre, The Rover (Hellena), Munsch Garden (Millicent) at GBTS, Godspell (Gilmer), and Alice In Wonderland (Alice). When she’s not performing, you can find her roaming art galleries, listening to Elton John, reading, or talking about beluga whales to anyone who will listen. Emmanuela thanks anyone who has supported her in her theatre school journey. Much love to her class! Enjoy the show.  

 

Nandhini Vijayakumar
Nandhini Vijayakumar – Singing guest, nurse at Chumley's

Nandhini (she/her) is an aspiring actor who has journeyed across the world to learn, practice, and showcase her love for the performing arts. Born and bred in Tamil Nadu, India, she immersed herself into the realm of music, literature, art, and dance, rich in her country’s cultural heritage at the age of five. She has trained classically in various Indian and western dance forms, is a self-taught soprano, writer, and pianist. She is a polyglot and at just fifteen years old had her stories, poems, and other written works published. Growing up, she worked with local theatre and film actors that helped inspire and sharpen her perception of the stage until she eventually landed in Toronto, Canada, at nineteen years of age seeking to refine the skill sets she possessed. She commenced her Conservatory Theatre training at George Brown Theatre School in 2021 and now has her focus set on conquering all the small and big stages around the world!

 

Credits & Acknowledgements

Production Staff​

  • Properties Master: David Hoekstra
  • Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Flanigan
  • Set Carpenter: Andy DeVries
  • Set Painter: Paul Boddum
  • Wardrobe Assistant: Barbara Morrone-Sanchez
  • Stitcher: Victoria Bruer
  • Movement Coach / Fight Director: Jack Rennie
  • Voice Coach: Alison Deon
  • Speech Coach: John Nelles
  • Alexander Technique Coach: Victoria Heart
  • Social Media Coordinator: Emmanuela Van Allen

Staff for George Brown Theatre

  • Associate Dean: Trent Scherer​​
  • Program Coordinator: Sue Miner
  • Support Coordinator: Michael Longstaff
  • Production Manager: Scott Banks
  • Assistant Technical Director: Andrei Mamaliga
  • Head of Wardrobe: Ina Kerklaan

Thank you to our friends in the community​

  • Jasmine Knox, Lisa Nighswander and Soulpepper Theatre Company, Sean Baker, Jay Davis, Wulf Higgins and the COC props Department, Westend Offset Plate, Lorrie Applebaum and Filmgreens Toronto.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance.Opera.Theatre Policy (DOT).​