OUR PRODUCTION

What Was Happening when Harvey was written?

W O R L D W A R I I : The United States joined the Allies in World War II following the attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 16 million Americans comprised the U.S. armed forces, and those who stayed home used methods of conservation of natural resources and produced war materials to support the war efforts overseas.

P S Y C H I A T R I C M E T H O D S : Sigmund Freud became well known to Americans in the 1920s, later becoming known as the father of modern psychiatry. Psychiatric care was a relatively new practice as patients displaying mental disorders were previously sent to asylums without any treatment or therapeutic options. Science leaned towards seeking solutions rather than looking for the reasons behind mental illness. Controversial treatments such as “shock therapy” were used and developed as the concept of psychiatric medicine began to develop.

A M E R I C A N L I F E : As the U.S. entered World War II, a greater need emerged for manufactured goods to support war efforts. More and more of the American population began to leave their small towns and into the big cities in search of jobs and wealth. The large migrations from small towns lead to an impersonal attitude about large cities and many becoming nostalgic of the slower paced lifestyle they once had.

designer spotlight

Becca Janney COSTUME DESIGNER This is Becca’s third show with WaterTower Theatre. Previous costume design credits with WaterTower include Godspell and Everything is Wonderful. Other credits: Ada and the Engine (StageWest), Rhinoceros, Peter and the Starcatcher, Godspell, Dancing at Lughnasa (Baylor Theatre), The Crucible (October Theatre Company).

WEBSITE: beccajanney.com

INSTAGRAM: @nordic_goddess

Scenic Design by Clare Floyd DeVries

what is a pooka?

A pooka comes from Irish Folklore. In Celtic mythology, a pooka is a mischievous fairy spirit that can take the form of anything but is most commonly seen as a dog, goat, goblin, and of course, a rabbit.

FUN FACT: Harvey incidentally made it’s Broadway Debut on Pooka day, November 1, 1944.

FUN FACT:

The play was adapted into a less successful musical: Say Hello to Harvey, with music by Leslie Bricusse, opening on September 14, 1981 in Toronto