Over the last couple of months, I have been in rehearsal for a play called Harvey by Mary Chase. The play is set in the 1940s and addresses an imaginary friend in a comedic way. The play and movie starred Jimmy Stewart. The original production that ran at the Forty-Eighth Street Theatre in 1944 was directed by Antoinette Perry. Our director, Mary Lynch, offers us the opportunity to think about our characters in a fresh light. The language is dated, the role of women and men are didactic, and what’s considered humorous can at times feel not so politically correct. So how do you find the comedy in 2016 in a beloved American classic? For my role, I dug deep into my own history, read the lines and read between the lines. I also listened to my director. I turned the column over to her this month because she is a beautiful wordsmith. 
Lately I have been reading Hannah Arendt, an eminent twentieth century philosopher. She apparently had a wildly improbable love affair with another titan of philosophy, Martin Heidegger. The reason I am including this in my self-examination of my relationship to theater is because of a specific quote from a lovelorn Heidegger to Arendt: “Why is love rich beyond all other possible human experiences and a sweet burden to those seized in its grasp? Because we become what we love and yet remain ourselves.” It is the phrase “we become what we love and yet remain ourselves” that seems to explain exactly the process I go through as an actor. I must find a way to love my character; I must find a way for the audience to love my character, no matter how villainous or farcical it may be. And, yet, all the while remain myself and let the audience retain its safety of otherness in order to enable them to witness. Arendt argued in subsequent years “…that thinking is our rebellion against the tyranny of time…” so I expand on that idea and use that thinking, that engagement, to stop the clock in theater, and create an experience out of time, if only for two hours. The audience can “love” or “hate” beyond some weak idea of vicarious living, and continue this communion by remaining themselves. As a director, I am forced into an even greater responsibility to develop and maintain this delicate environment for actors, playwrights and audiences. My teaching career is really just one aspect of talking and doing things that I love. Why not push myself to demand an actual Broadway career? Of course, there is that fantasy, but living long enough has enabled me to see limits and disadvantages of even that pipe dream! If it is the experience of body, mind and spirit, if it is in the realm of possibilities, why would I end my love affair with theater for an “arranged” marriage of commercial limitations? Although, Lin-Manuel Miranda makes me reconsider.
Mary Lynch loves theater. This explains why she would rather be in basements with actors and crews than on beaches. Mary has worked with Black Henna, TheatreTime, Beari, Attic Ensemble as well as many other theater groups in the metro area. Her favorite roles have been ‘M’Lynn’ ‘Ma’ ‘Elaine’ ‘Blanche’ ‘Mrs. Danvers’ but right now her heart belongs to “Harvey.” Here’s a review with the Times Ledger.
HARVEY by Mary Chase
Director: Mary Lynch
Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi
Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)
July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm
Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.
Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens
For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com