Did you ever see Harvey, Jimmy Stewart’s 1950 movie featuring a 6′ 31/2″ invisible rabbit (a Celtic pooka)?  If not, stop reading this and go to Netflix and watch it now.

Better yet, make reservations now to see the live stage version of the story that won Mary Chase the Pulitzer Prize in 1944.  It starts this weekend at Level Ground Arts, starring Dick Monday as Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart’s character in the film). 

Dick Monday stars as Elwood P. Dowd in the Level Ground Arts theatre production of “Harvey”.

I can’t think of anyone I’d rather see in the role; Dick Monday is one of the best physical comedians I’ve ever seen.  Not to mention one of the people who exemplifies my favorite Elwood P. Dowd quote from Harvey: “Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be’ – she always called me Elwood – ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.”

Dick Monday is definitely smart — and pleasant.  He’s a great mentor and teacher, too.  In fact, I think he changed my grandson’s life forever.  But that isn’t why I recommend this theater event to anyone in the North Texas region over the next couple of weeks.

It’s because Harvey is one of those stories that transcends time, and makes everyone who sees it smile as they reconsider their priorities in life.  If everyone were more like Elwood P. Dowd, the world really would be a better place.

You can see Harvey on Friday and Saturday nights through October 27, and there is a Sunday afternoon matinée as well.  The show is at the Trinity River Arts Theatre (at KD Studios), at 2600 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas (just north of the intersection of Medical Center Drive and I-35, on the north-bound access road). 

Tickets are just $20, and reservations can be made online or via phone or text message to 972-302-1801.  The curtain goes up on Friday and Saturday night performances at 8:15, and on Sunday October 7 and 21 at 3 p.m.

We’ve got our tickets for Friday, Oct. 12 — and I can’t wait!

Photo credit: This publicity photo of comic actor Dick Monday as Elwood P. Dowd in the Level Ground Arts production of Harvey is used with permission.  Consult the theatre for reuse restrictions.