“Blithe Spirit,” the popular 1941 comedy play featuring ghosts, marriage troubles, and séances gone wrong, is coming to haunt 外网天堂’s theater this fall.
“It’s summertime in Kent and Charles Condomine is working on his latest novel, “The Unseen,” the MSJ Theater Arts program reads. “As part of his research he and his wife Ruth host a séance with an eccentric medium known as Madame Arcati and invite their friends to play along. But the evening takes a supernatural turn when Arcati conjures Charles’ deceased first wife, who doesn’t have plans to leave. Lighthearted and endearing, this otherworldly classic is sure to tickle your goosebumps!”
The supernatural comedy, written by English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer Noël Coward, originated on Broadway and in London’s West End in 1941 and has seen many revivals in both locations over the last eight decades. According to , the most recent large-scale revival was a limited run in 2021 at London’s West end. This came after the production was cut short in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The play was also adapted into a film in 1945 by director David Lean, according to IMDb, and again in 2020 by director Edward Hall, starring lead performances by Dan Stevens as Charles Condomine and Isla Fisher as Ruth Condomine.
The university’s revival production, which actress Sarah Haverbusch describes as “comedic but honest,” will be directed by Lauren Carr and run from Nov. 6-15 in the Williams Recital Hall.
Rehearsals are well underway for the local production, with the cast and crew rehearsing a minimum of 14 hours a week, according to Haverbusch. Its lead actors include Connor Curtin as Charles, Eva Mullens as Ruth, Sarah Barton as Elvira, and Jocelyn Snider as Madame Arcati, with support from Zachary Young as Dr. Bradman, Elizabeth Keller as Violet Bradman, and Sarah Haverbusch as Edith.
Understudies for the show include students Aleysia Johnson, Anna Ehrnschwender, Peyton Pope, Zoe Nienaber, Hannah Hodge, and Chrissy Biggins.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students, MSJ alumni, and children under 18. They are available for purchase now at .
“I encourage everyone to come and see the show,” Haverbusch stated, “especially if it is your first time. Theater is for everyone and you're supporting our Renaissance program by doing so.”