Director’s Note
Welcome to our production of Blithe Spirit, Noël Coward’s wickedly witty comedy
about love, loss, and the occasional ghostly complication. First performed in 1941, during the height of World War II, Blithe Spirit offered audiences a much-needed escape from reality. This play is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, laughter has the power to heal.
At its core, Blithe Spirit is an enjoyable satire of relationships depicting how we remember them, how we idealize them, and how we’re haunted by them (sometimes quite literally). In Charles Condomine’s living room, the past refuses to stay buried. Charles, after partaking in a séance to enrich his writing, must balance his relationship between his very present wife, Ruth, and his very dead wife, Elvira. The result is a chaotic cocktail of charm, deception, and the supernatural.
This production embraced the style and sophistication of the 1940s, while letting the comedy breathe through bold performances, sharp timing, and a touch of theatrical magic. There’s something timeless in this play. Although the characters depict trends of the 40s, sip martinis, and live a comfortable lifestyle, their emotional entanglements remain strikingly familiar to that of today.
To the cast and crew of Act II Players, thank you so very much for making this production so much fun and becoming part of our Act II family. I have enjoyed working with each one of you as well as getting to know you. Your talent, dedication, and sheer joy in the work have brought this ghostly farce to life. Your hard work reflects the spirit of collaboration which is the heart of theatre. Special thanks to Avery Maxham for being a great, first-time stage manager. Thank you to my husband Michael for being a force at our séance. Jamie Glavich, thank you for being the most creative and friendly producer. Your insights keep Act II Players thriving.
To our audience, thank you for joining us. We invite you to suspend disbelief, revel in the ridiculous, and maybe even just for a moment consider what spirits from your own past might come knocking if given the chance.
Remember: Be friendly to the people in the seats near you. You never can tell if other spirits were awakened at our seance.
Enjoy the show.
