Theater Review: Harvey

So I thought it was time for my first review post.  I was originally going to make this a review of one of my favorite TV shows, “The Glee Project,” but that post will have to wait until later.  

On Saturday, I had the privilege of seeing the Broadway play “Harvey,” the well-liked 1944 revival starring Jim Parsons, also known as Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory.”  My grandma subscribes to the Roundabout Theater Company (the company showing “Harvey”), and since my grandpa can’t really go to shows anymore, my mom usually goes to them with her.  Since my dad and I expressed interest in this play, she found a voucher for two free tickets and so we were able to go with her.  This was the eighth Broadway show I have seen and it is the only one that was not a musical.  (In case anyone is wondering, I have also seen Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Wicked, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Bye Bye Birdie, and Anything Goes.  I recommend all of them, though most of them are no longer playing.) 

The play was fantastic.  If you don’t believe that Jim Parsons can be anything but a TV actor, think again.  Parsons plays Elwood P. Dowd, a man who, ever since his mother died, has found a friend in a mythical creature called a pooka in the form of a six foot three and a half inch tall white rabbit named Harvey.  No one else sees Harvey, and since all Elwood does is go to bars and drink, most people believe him to be an alcoholic lunatic.  Elwood lives with his sister Veta and niece Myrtle Mae, and Elwood’s reputation prevents them from having a social life and makes it unlikely that Myrtle Mae will ever find a husband.  Because of this, Veta decides to send him to a sanitarium, but once they arrive it is she who the doctors are convinced should be locked up.  From there, a hilarious plot continues, and we are shown in the end Veta’s true feelings for her brother and how Harvey may be keeping Elwood sane.

If you come to see “Harvey” looking to laugh, laughter is guaranteed.  Parsons delivers every line and joke with perfect timing.  Many of the other characters also provide entertainment, such as Veta played by Jessica Hect and the doctor’s wife played by Carol Kane, famous for her role in the TV show “Taxi.”  Many things Parsons does mirror his TV persona, such as the way he repeats a line because he likes the way it sounds and the way he takes everything literally.  The play actually has a serious message behind it: we may try to change the way people with autism and other similar disorders act to make them more “normal,” but in reality they can be much happier than we are.  Sometimes living life simply is better.  One of Elwood’s memorable lines went something like this; “My mother always told me I should be smart or friendly.  For years I was smart.  I recommend being friendly.” 

Though this play is meant to be entertaining, there is a lot we can take away from it.  If you only have the opportunity to see one Broadway show in your lifetime, I would probably not recommend “Harvey” unless you are a serious “The Big Bang Theory” fan.  However, if you have already seen a few musicals and you want something different, then “Harvey” might be for you.  I’m not sure when it closes but I think it is very soon.  If you don’t get a chance to see the show, there is also a movie version.

Have you guys ever seen any Broadway plays?  Which ones?  Did you like them?  If not, what would you like to see?  Did you like the format of this post?  Was it too long?  Formal?  Boring?  Let me know!

Lots of love,

Dawn J

Hey guys!  When I checked my blog last night, i was ecstatic.  Five different readers on my first day!  That is amazing compared to my tumblr, which I've had for at least three months and I only have two followers.  But that's because it's connected to my original tumblr, so all of my reblogs & posts, and people I follow automatically go to the blog.  It's complicated.  The only way you can find it is by knowing the exact url.  Speaking of which, you should follow me so I can actually get followers:
feel-yourheart-beat.tumblr.com

Anyways, so I'm really nervous because I'm trying out for my school's chorus tomorrow.  I'm the type of person who loves to sing and is decent, but not amazing and has never had any formal training.  There are a lot people who tried out and not a lot of spots.  We have a sophomore arts requirement, so if I don't get in I'll be placed in some random art or music class.  Bleh.  I'm really nervous.  I've also been sick since last Monday and I still haven't completely recovered.  I had two songs I was originally going to sing, but I realized I can't really sing either of them.  So I set out today to find a new song.  After failing to be able to sing Beyonce's "Ave Maria" (One of the most beautiful songs ever.  Go listen to it.) and Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry," I realized I was being overly ambitious.  So I eventually decided on Maroon 5's "Won't Go Home Without You."  If you've never heard it, listen to it.  I like and I can sing it. 
If anyone has any vocal tips, they would be much appreciated.
Is it hot where you guys are?  Today was like the hottest day so far in New York.  I spent the entire day inside, so i wouldn't know.

You guys are the best!

Dawn :)

Welcome to my Blog

Hi everyone! So I've wanted to make a blog for probably over a year now. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of an overachiever, so I haven't had the time. But today was my last test and summer is officially here (I know, most of you have been out of school for a long time now).  So I promised myself today would be the day. Now that I have the chance, the very first thing I'd like to do is thank everyone who has influenced me without knowing it.

First and foremost, Lisi Harrison, the famous author of The Clique, Alphas, and Monster High.  While I don’t know if I would consider you my favorite author, you are the one who has inspired me the most.  When I first came across the Blah-g, I was impressed.  I’ve still never seen an author who runs an honest blog not for publicity, but to support her readers.  Twitter, yes, but this is something else entirely. That is exactly the type of author I want to be.  But you have indirectly inspired me through the comments on your blog.  On there, I met a community of girls, many of who have a blog and write stories, but all who are supportive of each other.  These girls got my life on track and made me realize that I don’t have to wait to do anything, and that I can start writing now.  But Lisi, you are the one who led me to them.

Secondly, the wise, innerly beautiful Devin.  You are probably the only one of these people who I actually still talk to.  I don’t quite remember how I was led to you, I think it was from either Arianna or Talia’s blog.  But I am so glad that I was.  I’ve thanked you before, but it’s been awhile.  Your blog posts are refreshing, real, thought-provoking – everything I want my blog to be.  You have a way with words.  You’ve helped get me through more than one day, sometimes being there for me more than my best friends.  If it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t be writing this.  So I dedicate this blog to you.  For everyone else, PLEASE CHECK OUT HER BLOG.
http://everydayeffect.blogspot.com/

Next, Arianna.  I’m sure she will be very surprised at this considering I doubt she knows who I am.  Arianna, if you are reading this (which I hope you are), hi, I’m Dawn, I’ve talked to you a few times on the Blah-g almost a year ago under the name lilmissbookworm7 and I’ve also commented on your blog a few times.  I don’t usually comment on your blog because I’m not that great at giving advice and unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like you take most people’s advice, but I have read all of your blog posts.  The first time I read your blog and saw the updates to stories you posted on figment and the Blah-g, I thought, Wow, this girl isn’t waiting for writing to become her profession.  She’s taking her gifts and using them now.  Why am I waiting to start writing?  This is something I should be doing now.  I had never read Birthmarks until you finished it.  When you did, I read the entire story in just one sitting.  It was that good.  I just wanted to thank you for being one of the first people to inspire me to start writing.

After her, Talia, another person who will be surprised.   Once again, I talked to you on the Blah-g in August/September for a little while.  I feel a connection to you because we’re the same age and from the same wonderful city.  You are another person whose writing has inspired me.  Also, whenever I would go on the Blah-g, you were always so sweet and would always talk to me.  I know you haven’t written a blog post in a long time, but I still see you and think about you on the Blah-g.  Thank you for inspiring me and for being a wonderful person.  

And finally, Deserae.  I’ve also never talked to you more than a few times, but I still read your blog and see your comments on the Blah-g.  You are an inspiration to me as a person.  You are older than most of the girls on the Blah-g, yet you never hesitate to help them with their problems.  I don’t know how you manage to be online so much as a college student, but I guess that’s just one of the amazing things about you.  I admire you for being able to complete three manuscripts and also how you always manage to comment on comments.  Thank you for being a role model for me.

Of course, there are always more people to thank, but I don’t have the time or space.  But everyone is truly amazing, and so reader, I thank you for being who you are.

Now, on to the format of this blog.  Each week, I hope to post at least three times: one review (music, TV, movies, books etc), one focused post on a particular topic (it could be anything, literally anything, and I’m open for suggestions), and at least one traditional blog post about my life.  I’ll start out with that and take it from there.  I hope I’m not being overly ambitious.


I hope you all continue to read this blog.  Good things are coming.  Please comment below.  Sorry this post is so long.  I love you all.


Dawn J