The University of Missouri-Rolla Theatre Players will take the stage this fall with “Harvey,” the 1944 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase.

Elwood P. Dowd, a harmless inebriate, befriends a large yet invisible rabbit named Harvey, much to the embarrassment of his socially conscious sister Veta and her daughter Myrtle Mae. When Veta tries to commit Elwood to a sanitarium, however, she unwillingly becomes a patient herself. The play has “entertained audiences since ‘Harvey’ first warmed the hearts of a war weary country,” says John Woodfin, instructor of philosophy and liberal arts at UMR and director of the play. “Older audience members may remember Jimmy Stewart’s performance as Elwood P. Dowd in the 1950 Academy Award-winning movie. ‘Harvey’ is also appropriate entertainment for the entire family.”

“Harvey” will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, through Saturday, Nov. 5, with a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. Performances are held in Leach Theatre of UMR’s Castleman Hall, 10th and Main streets in Rolla. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for UMR students and those age 18 and younger. Tickets are available Monday through Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and one hour before the performance at the Leach Theatre Box Office in Castleman Hall. For ticket information call (573) 341-4219.

Cast members include:

– A.J. Bedwell, a senior in biological sciences from Scott City, Mo., plays Miss Ruth Kelly.

– Renee Eimer, a freshman in freshman engineering from Decatur, Ill., plays Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet.

– Marilyn Emanuel, a junior in metallurgical engineering from St. Louis, plays Myrtle Mae Simmons.

– Amanda Engelke, a sophomore in history from Rolla, Mo., plays Veta Louise Simmons.

– Ben Esteban, a senior in information science and technology from Dakota, Minn., plays E. F. Lofgren, a taxi driver.

– Ryan Irvin, a senior in architectural engineering from Mt. Vernon, Ill., plays Elwood P. Dowd.

– Chris A. Johnson, a sophomore in mathematics from West Plains, Mo., plays Dr. Lyman Sanderson.

– Adam Kay, a junior in computer science from Florissant, Mo., plays Judge Omar Gaffney.

– Wendy King, a freshman in history from Rolla, Mo., plays Betty Chumley.

– Jeff Loeffler, a senior in mathematics from Fenton, Mo., plays Dr. William R. Chumley.

– Phil Norfolk, a senior in psychology from Blue Springs, Mo., plays Duane Wilson.

– Adam Blinzler, a senior in computer engineering from Kansas City, Mo., and Dianna Meyers, a junior in ceramic engineering from Blue Springs, Mo., serve as assistant directors.