When TCTC resumed production after World War II, one of the first plays it selected for the 1949/1950 season was Noel Coward's comedy, Blithe Spirit. The comedy was given an encore performance in the 1978/1979 season and found its niche in TCTC's 60th consecutive season because the story, although written in 1940, is never dated. The quality of Coward's writing shows his "talent to amuse."
As concrete evidence of its durability, Blithe Spirit is being revived on Broadway with an opening date two nights after TCTC's. The New York production features Tony winners Christine Ebersole as Elvira and Angela Lansbury as Madame Arcati. Rupert Everett will make his Broadway debut as Charles Condomine with Jayne Atkinson as Ruth. (Read playbill article).
For the 2008/2009 Braithwaite season, director Felicity Enas has re-set the Condomines' home in the U.S. Her cast includes Tom Young as the haunted Charles
Suzanne Alford will play the dinner guests, Dr. and Mrs. Bradman. Lauryn Confer will make her TCTC debut as Edith, the Condomines' maid. Frances Whiteside rounds out the cast as the eccentric medium, Madame Arcati.
Pat Grubbs and Shirley Jenkins are producers for the show, and William Howell is stage manager. Members of the Acting Conservatory's Act Three class will run lights, sound, and props. The play opens for ten performances on March 13.
