OFP sets auditions for February "Harvey" production

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FORT MADISON - Sure, you’re a respectable citizen now, holding down a job and taking care of a family, but seriously, you know you’ve been longing for the spotlight ever since that third grade Christmas pageant. Whether you played the Angel Gabriel or were the third shepherd from the left, you will never forget the sound of the applause as the curtain came down. Old Fort Players can bring back that excitement! (They won’t ask you wear your dad’s bathrobe and carry a stuffed sheep, but you will be expected to show up to three or four rehearsals a week and make a lot of new friends.

Fort Madison’s community theater is looking for actors to fill the cast of their February 2019 production of “Harvey.” Stop by the downtown Fort Madison location (725 Ave. G) on December 9 & 10 at 6pm to audition for this classic, family-friendly show. You will be asked to read from the script provided. There’s nothing to memorize for the audition and no previous experience is required.

“Harvey,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy was also a hit movie starring Jimmy Stewart in 1950. The stage play by Mary Chase, is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey -- a pooka, which is a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, determine to commit Elwood to a sanitarium. A mistake is made, however, and Veta is committed rather than Elwood! Once the mistake is realized, a frantic search begins for Elwood and the invisible pooka. Will Veta ever understand that she can love her brother and his invisible his best friend just as they are?

The cast calls for six men, six women of various ages and one 6 foot 3½ inch tall invisible white rabbit in the title role. (Director Shelley Dowling informed us that the part of Harvey has been cast, but she encourages all theatrically inclined rabbits to audition for his understudy.) If you can’t make either evening of the auditions, OFP can still accommodate you. Just leave a message on the theater’s voicemail or send a message on Facebook.

So, you’re not quite the type who likes being in the spotlight? You can still be a part of the fun. OFP is always looking for hard-working, organized people to be stage managers, set crews, sound and light technicians as well as costume/prop stylists and makeup artists. There’s even a spot for those who enjoy working with the public by selling concessions during performances. Stop by on audition nights to volunteer or send us a message on Facebook.

“Harvey” co-sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro will be presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Services, Inc. Performances run February 15-17 & 22-24. Evening shows begin at 7:30 and the curtain rises on Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets for Adults are $12, and Students are $8. They are available on the theater website as well as at the door.

The Old Fort Players have been entertaining the community since 1981 and are located in downtown Fort Madison at 725 Avenue G. Call 319-372-9559 for more information. Like them on Facebook or visit www.oldfortplayers.com to keep up with everything that’s going on at the theater.