Reading Community Players will stage Mary Chase’s classic award-winning
drama Harvey, June 5th - 7th, 2026 at the WCR Center for the Arts. This warm,
whimsical comedy follows the gentle, eccentric Elwood and his unseen
companion, a six-foot-tall rabbit who upends the expectations of a small town and
reveals the surprising power of kindness and imagination.
Elwood P. Dowd is a genial, unflappable man whose best friend is Harvey, an
invisible six-foot-tall rabbit. When Elwood’s sister, Veta, worries that his
eccentricities are embarrassing, she tries to have him committed to a sanitarium.
What follows is a nutty and comic unraveling of social pretenses as characters
confront what it means to be “normal.”
According to cast member Nadine Poper, “Harvey stretches our definition of
'normal'. You will meet a guy whose best friend is an invisible 6-foot rabbit and
somehow he's the only normal one on stage!”
The play balances broad comedy with tender moments, ultimately asking
audiences to consider compassion, acceptance, and the value of seeing the world
with wonder.
Director Megan Martin clarifies, “Our audience will walk away smiling, for sure,
and, hopefully, with a deeper understanding of how and why we should accept
those around us who see the world through a different lens.”
The local cast of eleven has run into challenges bringing this Pulitzer-winning
script to life. “There are layers to these characters,” reported Allison Schiding.
“Veta Louise in particular is so much more than she seems at first glance.”
Schiding continues, “I really hope I am doing justice to her internal conflicts and
her struggle to do what's right by all the people she cares about.”
Also in comedy, timing is not always everything. Dave Bitler shares, “To make a
comedy come off as funny you really need a sense of trust. I think the cast
understands that and is working hard to help each other make this the best show
we can.”
Harvey is ideal for audiences who enjoy classic American comedy,
character-driven stories, and theater that blends laughter with heart. The show is
family-friendly for children and teens.
Contact Reading Community Players box office at rcptheatre@gmail.com for
further information. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and
can be purchased online at RCPstage.ludus.com. Flex passes for our 2026
season are also available with big savings. The WCR Center for the Arts is
located at 140 N. 5th St., Reading. Free parking is available at 210 N. Fifth Street.
Reading Community Players is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to
bringing quality theatre and arts education to communities. To learn more about
the organization and their offerings, visit www.readingcommplayers.com. For
questions, contact the RCP President at 610-507-3436 or email
RCPtheatre@gmail.com.