Little Theatre opening with 'Blithe Spirit'
The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County will open its season with “Blithe Spirit,” directed by Tamora Benson.
Written by British playwright Noel Coward, it was first performed in the West End in 1941, where it ran for a record 1,997 performances before moving on to Broadway later that year. It centers around socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a seance. He hopes to use the experience to write his next book, but the plan backfires when Arcati manages to summon his late first wife Elvira. Elvira attempts to disrupt his marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see and hear the ghost. Exploring themes of deception, love, loyalty and the complex legacy of past relationships, “Blithe Spirit” is one of Coward’s most acclaimed plays and has been staged on Broadway multiple times. It was adapted into a film in 1964.
The cast includes Edith, Roxie Long; Ruth, Kate Lynne Miller; Charles, Michael Antonelli; Dr. Bradman, Kenn Holmes; Mrs. Bradman, Amy Vance; Madame Arcati, Pat Potter; and Elvira, Kate Sweitzer.
Those on the artistic staff are director Tamara Benson; assistant director Shannon Krocker; producer Meghan Miller; stage manager Kenn Holmes; stage crew, Dawn Furniss and Tamara Benson; props, Jane Deitrick; set designer/builder George Benson; set painting, Amy Vance, Kate Miller, Michael Antonelli and Tamara Benson; set decoration, Jane Deitrick, Amy Vance and Tamara Benson; lights, Joe Compton (designer) and Mary Maxwell (tech); sound, Meghan Miller (design and tech); costumers Alex Allesandri-Bruce and Sarah Spies; special effects, Kenn Holmes and George Benson; and photography and video, Naomi Benson (NB Photography).
Production dates will be Oct. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 with matinees on Oct. 10, 17 and 24. Evening performances open at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Kent State University Performing Arts Box Office at 330-308-6400 or visiting www.TheLittleTheatreOnline.org.