A beloved Broadway classic will hop onto the stage this spring when Long Beach Playhouse presents “Harvey,” opening Easter weekend on Saturday, April 4.
Written by Mary Chase in the early 1940s and directed by Bob Fetes, “Harvey” is a warm, whimsical Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy from one of the golden ages of American theater.
The story follows the gentle and eccentric Elwood P. Dowd (played by Tod Walker), whose best friend just happens to be an invisible, six-and-a-half-foot-tall rabbit. As his increasingly exasperated sister Veta (played by Harriet Whitmyer) attempts to commit him to a sanitarium, a cascade of comic misunderstandings unfolds, raising questions about perception and social norms along the way.
Opening night on April 4 will include a champagne gala, setting a fun tone for a run that will continue with Friday and Saturday evening performances and Sunday matinees through May 2.
As an enduring audience favorite, “Harvey” has survived far beyond its original 1944 run. In 2012, for example, the Roundabout Theatre Company opened a Broadway revival at Studio 54 Theatre starring Emmy-Award winner Jim Parsons to positive reviews.
That revival, and others like it, reaffirmed that the play’s potent blend of humor, heart, and humanism can still speak to our contemporary world.
If you’re interested in this quietly profound classic piece of theatre, grab your tickets for Long Beach Playhouse’s production of “Harvey” at lbplayhouse.org.
Artist Morning
Artists and art lovers alike are invited to slow down and sketch in a serene, open-air setting during Artist Morning at Rancho Los Cerritos this Saturday, March 28.
Running from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (with last admittance at noon), this laid-back creative session offers early access to the Rancho’s historic grounds.
It’s an ideal backdrop for painters, sketch artists, and digital creators looking to work at their own pace.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies, whether that means watercolors, oils, sketchbooks, or tablets.
The event leans into a casual, community-driven atmosphere at one of Long Beach’s most picturesque sites. Bring a chair, easel, or blanket if you’d like, and the Rancho will provide accommodations for safely disposing of materials afterward.
Artists will also have the option to submit work inspired by the site for potential inclusion in future Museum Store merchandise, a great opportunity to translate a morning’s inspiration into something lasting.
The Rancho’s monthly pop-up coffee cart will be on-site with beverages and pastries available for purchase, too, making it easy to ease into (or wind down from) a creative session.
With a suggested $10 donation and free onsite parking, Artist Morning offers a low-pressure, high-inspiration way to tap into your creativity.
Reserve your free spot at shorturl.at/jBefB.
Cambodian New Year
Cambodian New Year arrives early in Long Beach this year, with a full night of music, food, and community as Roxanne’s Lounge hosts a Choul Chnam Thmey celebration on Saturday, April 4.
Running from 6 p.m. into the late-night hours, the event aligns with Long Beach’s annual Cambodia Town Parade and Cultural Festival, creating a full day of cultural festivities across our community.
While Cambodian New Year traditionally falls around April 14, an earlier celebration on April 4 will allow participants to carry the daytime parade energy into an evening gathering.
Guests at Roxanne’s can expect a soundtrack of festive music throughout the night, a full bar with specialty drinks — including a Hennessy Cognac tasting — and a menu of Cambodian-inspired eats courtesy of Battambang BBQ.
The night also includes live comedy hosted by Lintorious, adding a playful dimension to this traditionally reverent celebration.
More than just a party, the event will lean into the cultural roots of Cambodian New Year, inviting both Cambodian community members and those curious about the culture to come together in a welcoming, high-spirited space.
Grab your tickets at shorturl.at/74tFk.