Meet Morris Burns, Director of Harvey

Having directed over a hundred productions in a career that included some 41 years of teaching theatre and directing at the university/college level, Morris Burns brings his impressive talent to the position of director for our last mainstage production of the season, Harvey. 

In November of 2017, Wendy Ishii asked Burns if he would be interested in directing Harvey if David Siever played the part of Elwood P. Dowd. It didn’t take him more than a second to respond with a resounding “yes,” because he’s always wanted to work with David. Watching David build the part of Dowd has been one of the highlights of this production for Burns. “David is a master performer who is constantly working to create his character. Watching the company of performers grow in their portrayals has been very satisfying to witness,” Burns said. He also noted that the assistant director, Aubrey Stalnaker, is one of the most accomplished assistant directors/stage managers he has worked with in his 41-year career. It’s true that the cast and crew of Harvey are top-notch! 

Harvey is the 1945 Pulitzer Prize-winning story of Elwood P. Dowd and his imaginary rabbit Harvey. Elwood decided long ago that he’d rather be kind than smart, and he had no desire to be a normal human being. Enter Harvey, a 6-foot-3½-inch-tall white rabbit. Elwood calls him a pooka, an invisible fairy spirit in animal form. As Elwood says, “Doctor, I wrestled with reality for forty years, and I am happy to state that I finally won out over it.” 

The insights on humanity that “Harvey” offers will renew your hope for the human race. You’ll leave contemplating what you are willing to do for people you care about. It’s a story we all need to believe in. This sweet, wise, and laugh-inducing play has a lot to offer audiences of all ages. Catch a production of “Harvey” from May 18th to June 9th. Tickets are available now!