CHS drama department to present “Harvey”
Harvey, a six-foot invisible rabbit, is coming to Concordia.
The Concordia Junior/Senior High School drama department will be performing Mary Chase's classic theatrical play 'Harvey' this Friday and Saturday. 'Harvey' first appeared on Broadway in 1944. The play was adapted into a 1950 film starring Jimmy Stewart.
The story revolves around Elwood P. Dowd, a charming and eccentric man who insists on introducing everyone to his best friend, Harvey. The twist is that Harvey is a 6-foot-tall invisible rabbit. Elwood's sister, Veta, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, are embarrassed by his behavior and decide to have him committed to a mental health institution. However, their efforts led to a series of comedic misunderstandings and unexpected revelations.
As the play unfolds, it explores themes of family, acceptance, and the power of imagination, all while keeping the audience laughing with its witty humor and lovable characters.
Megan Barr relishes taking on the role of nurse Ruth Kelly. “She's one of the most interesting members of the cast,” Barr said. “She's really sweet one minute, and then really mad the next. She goes through a lot of moods.”
Barr said the role is an integral part of the plot. “She helps out with a lot of the changes; she understands what's going on. She moves the story along. She's involved with a lot of the mishaps that happen.”
Mya Bauer is the student director/stage manager for the production and loves all the jobs she's taken on. “I'm someone who likes to do a lot of different things, so it's great to have a lot of different jobs to handle. Basically, everything Mr. Knedler isn't in charge of, people come to me for the answers.” Bauer then smiled and added, “I keep the peace a lot.”
Bauer relished the challenges that come with being a student director/stage manager. The hardest part was keeping everyone motivated through all the days that school was closed. “We've had so many breaks and snow days that people would come back with low morale. So I felt that part of my job was keeping people motivated. But now it's all coming together and people are super motivated. Mr. Knedler's been great.”
Kelly Knedler is the new drama and choir instructor at CHS. He has been teaching for almost 30 years and was named the 2016-2017 National Federation of State High School Associations and Kansas State High School Activities Association Outstanding Music Educator for Kansas.
In 2016, he was also a semi-finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Knedler holds a Bachelor of Music Education in vocal music from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Music Performance degree in choral conducting from the University of Arkansas.
“I just love entertainment,” Knedler said. “I've been involved with over 70 shows, and enjoy every aspect of it: working with actors, getting the costumes together, building the sets.”
Knedler traces his love of performing all the way back to second grade. “This lady gave me a puppet – Sammy The Snake. And I still remember: July 4, 1976, my brother and I performed in a talent show for a big audience. I've just loved it ever since.”
The cast of 'Harvey' is: Elwood P. Dowd, played by Leathan Stevenson; Kathryn, a maid, played by Alexandria Wagner; Myrtle Mae Simmons, played by Lila Wallace; Veta Louise Simmons, played by Cricky Warren; Miss Johnson, played by Emma Ramirez; Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet, played by Haley Daines; Harvey, played by Gus Cuniculus; nurse Ruth Kelly, played by Megan Barr; Duane Wilson, played by Logan Lilja; John, an orderly, played by Brady Strait; Dr. Lyman Sanderson played by Michael Sonder; Dr. William R. Chumley, played by Kohl Newlin; Mrs. Betty Chumley, played by Olivia Christensen; Judge Omar Gaffney, played by Alex Mould, and E.J. Lofgren, played by Isabelle Alexander.
The crew consists of student director/stage manager Mya Bauer; lighting manager Dylan Morris; sound manager Keltyn Newton, and the stage crew of Vanessa Brown, Raylea Studt, Jazlyn Hendershott, Lillian Jessup, Lilly Ramirez.
'Harvey' will be performed Friday and Saturday, January 26 & 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the CJSHS Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for the general public. Concordia Junior/Senior High School students are admitted for free.