Tired of the spring semester already? Dreading graduation? Or maybe you’re just sick of the gray winter weather. Come and escape from it all at West Chester University Department of Theatre and Dance’s production of “Blithe Spirit” this March! Featuring quick quips, romantic intrigue and lots of laughs, the show is sure to provide an evening of fantasy and farce.
Set just before WWII in the countryside of Kent, England, “Blithe Spirit” opens on fussy novelist Charles Condomine and his stylish wife Ruth preparing for a party. Charles, hoping to gather inspiration to write a new mystical bestseller, “The Unseen,” has planned an evening of entertainment featuring a séance by their eccentric neighbor, a medium named Madame Arcati. But Charles’s plan goes horribly awry when Madame Arcati accidentally summons his previously deceased wife Elvira—and Elvira wants Charles all to herself.
Noel Coward’s witty repartee sparkles on the tongues of WCU students. But don’t grow to love these characters too much. Coward himself said, “You can’t sympathize with any of them. If there was a heart it would be a sad story.”
Creating and mounting the show, Blithe Spirit’s production team consists of director professor Leonard Kelly and a team of passionate creative students: scenic designer Carly Williams (junior), costume designer Janice Rabian (senior), lighting designer Nate Hart (senior), sound designer Nick Pascarosa (senior), properties master Genevieve Kull (junior), special effects designer Harrison Case (junior), stage management team Lauren Tetlow (junior) Taylor Mattes (sophomore), and Bobby Lipscomb (sophomore).
The production team drew inspiration for the play from the English countryside, old Hollywood, and the fashions of the time.
“Blithe Spirit” runs March 2 to March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 4 and March 5 at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available during the show’s intermissions. Ticket prices range from $12 to $15 and can be bought at the E.O. Bull Center box office, which is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, by calling 610-436-2533 or online at wcupatix.com.
Janice Rabian is a fourth-year student majoring in theatre. She can be reached at JR808460@wcupa.edu..