By Janette Turner

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

That’s how director Dave Morrison sums up the play, “Harvey,” set to hit the Wade James Theatre stage April 6. The Pulitzer-prize-winning classic was first produced in 1944 when there was “a war overseas, economic instability at home and an us-versus-them mentality,” according to Morrison. In an interview recently, he said that mix of global and national factors also describes today.

Audiences of the Driftwood Players’ production will see whether Morrison is right, as they catch a glimpse of an imaginary six-foot-three-inch tall rabbit named Harvey. Morrison advises audience members to follow the mythical creature, which is acknowledged by his conjurer, Elwood P. Dowd, but never bumped or touched by the other cast members. During rehearsal, a stand-in actor played the fantasy character.

Whether pleasant Dowd is crazy, or whether smart people should be pitied, is open to debate in playwright Mary Chase’s Broadway hit. Pre-show audiences in Edmonds will enjoy big band music and slides of 1944 highlights, sending the audience back in time while relaxing comfortably in the present.

For tickets and information on the lobby artwork of imaginary friends by Edmonds Heights K-12 students visit: https://www.driftwoodplayers.com/boxoffice.asp

Also noteworthy in Edmonds:

You can get anything you want…at the Arlo Guthrie show at Edmonds Center for the Arts on April 13. Except you won’t get a seat because tickets are sold out. Folks with VW buses and tickets in hand will hope for Arlo’s hits, including “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre.”

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Olympic Ballet Theatre will perform highlights from “The Sleeping Beauty,” on April 14, 2 p.m., at the Everett Performing Arts Center, and on April 22, 5 p.m., at Edmonds Center for the Arts. Former principal with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Le Yin, will dance as Prince Desire. The troupe will also feature “The Kairn of Koridwen” by Charles Griffes, with adaptation by artistic director Oleg Gorboulev and music by Seattle Chamber Players.

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EPIC Literary Series hosts Judith Roche in “The Poetics of Place,” a free writing workshop, April 13, 6:30 p.m. As Roche says, “We are triggered emotionally by places we have some history in – like ‘over there I had my first real kiss.’”Seating for this event at the Edmonds Library is limited and nearly filled. Contact the library at 425-771-1933 to reserve a place.

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Based on Moliere’s comic gem, “The Miser,” the Phoenix Theatre’s production of “The Golden State” runs through April 22. Greed and sunshine will flood the stage, under direction by Eric Lewis.

Arts reporter Janette Turner is your guide to local culture.  In addition to covering visual, performing and literary events for MyEdmondsNews, Janette is managing director of EPIC Literary Series and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee. Contact her about the arts at arts@myedmondsnews.com.