Spotlight Players’ ‘Harvey’ Is Smart and Pleasant

For years, Greg Bowman of Ferndale wanted to play Elwood P. Dowd on stage. What’s that? You never heard of Elwood P. Dowd?

Why, sure you have. He’s that gentle and perhaps somewhat muddled guy played with stammering perfection by Jimmy Stewart in the film version of Harvey, a man convinced his dearest friend is a 6-foot, one-and-a-half-inch tall talking rabbit. A man whose family and friends are convinced is a little, well, crazy.

Neither Bowman nor Mike Cuba, who directed the Spotlight Players’ production of Harvey (a 1945 Pulitzer-winning Broadway play), which has its final performance today at the , had any interest in even attempting to mimic Stewart’s portrayal. (Stewart played Dowd many times on stage and twice on film, in the 1950 classic and a 1972 television remake with Helen Hayes playing his histrionic sister.)

Rather, they hope the audience comes prepared to see a play featuring a cast of oddball characters, who can by turns be frustrating and lovable but are mostly eccentric.

Bowman said his personal joy is playing a character whose signature line is one he holds true in his off-stage life: “In this world, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant. ... I recommend pleasant.”

If Ellwood P. Dowd’s voice sounds familiar, it’s because the actor portraying him, Bowman, has been a stalwart midday anchorman on WWJ-AM 950 for years.

The Spotlight Players–Village Theater's resident adult theater group–have opted for a gentle, perhaps more true-to-life, depiction of their characters.

In fact, vestiges of their off-stage lives can be seen in this play’s details. The cab driver’s cap worn by Matt Houser, making his Spotlight debut, belongs to Pat McKane of Canton–he wore it in real life as a Detroit Police detective. And the police authority McKane developed during his law-enforcement career is evident in his role, that of Judge Gafney. One of the paintings on the set belongs to Mike Cuba; the framed diplomas belong to mother-of-four Rebecca Winder of Canton–who completely inhabits the part of Elwood's niece, the fluttery, lovestruck Myrtle Mae Simmons.

Cuba said this show has been able to hold down costs because of such loans. He said the rights to the play cost about $800 and the entire run will cost between $12,000 to $16,000. His earnest hope, he said, is "to have fun, put on a good show and sell a lot of tickets to pay for the show."

Linda Trygg of Westland is the delightfully snobby Mrs. Chauvenet. Fresh off her directorial debut at the , Trygg said that experience has given her new insights on directing, one being that for now, she prefers being on stage.

Despite having played the role on a Toledo stage, Gary Regal of Wyandotte is refreshing as the distressed Dr. Chumley, who longs for a two-week vacation in Akron, Ohio.

"He was made to play Dr. Chumley," said Regal's girlfriend, Denise Kerr, also of Wyandotte, who has seen him in both productions.

As for Harvey, a Celtic spirit called a pooka, Cuba wants everyone to know, he’s as real as it gets.

“He opens locked doors. He tells Elwood about things that haven’t yet happened,” Cuba said, “and he’s always right.”

Harvey closes with a 2 p.m. show today at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton.

Tickets cost $18 for adults; $16 for senior citizens as well as students under age 19 and can be purchased by phone at the Village Theater Box Office, 734-394-5300 or 734-394-5460; online at www.spotlightplayersmi.org or in person at The Summit on the Park or at the theater box office.

The full cast:

Elwood P. Dowd: Greg Bowmann of Ferndale
Myrtle Mae Simmons: Rebecca Winder of Canton
Vita Louise Simmons: Lisa Brawley of Livonia
Mrs. Chaunvenet: Linda Trygg  of Westland
Nurse Kelly: Lindsay Frischmuth of Plymouth
Mr. Wilson: Richard Holland of Livonia
Dr. Sanderson: Steve Sedore of Plymouth
Dr. Chumley: Gary Regal of Wyandotte
Mrs. Chumley: Marian Busa of Canton
Judge Gafney: Pat McKane of Canton
Cab Driver: Matt Houser of Waterford
Director: Mike Cuba of Livonia
Producer: Judy Cannizarro of Canton