Sherman Playhouse's BLITHE SPIRIT to Open 4/29

On Friday, April 29, The Sherman Playhouse will kick off its 2016 Season with the premiere of Noël Coward's classic comedy, Blithe Spirit. The curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. for a four-week run.

Blithe Spirit is a comic masterpiece, which playwright Noël Coward described as an "improbable farce." It concerns Charles Condomine, country gentleman and author, who invites the spiritualist Madame Arcati to his home for a séance. Madame Arcati unwittingly brings Elvira, Charles' first wife, back from "beyond." Elvira cannot be seen or heard by anyone except Charles and wreaks havoc with Ruth, Charles' present wife. And, of course, mayhem ensues.

"Blithe Spirit is elegant and also totally grounded," said director Katherine Almquist of Sharon. "As [playwright] Noël Coward said, 'Elvira may be a ghost, but she is a ghost in gum boots.' She is a woman who would do anything to hold on to her man. Love, loss, betrayal, whispers, tears, and magic spells. It could be anywhere, at any time, and just happens to hover on the horizon. It is enchanting and endurable."

"The cast just gallops along...something you have to have in a farcical piece like this," said producer David Almquist. "We're blessed with an incredibly talented cast and crew, including Patricia Michael as Madame Arcati, who was a star on London's West End from 1960 to 1984. We're honored to have her, and six other marvelous actors, bringing this timeless classic to the Sherman stage."

Besides Ms. Michael of Dover Plains, N.Y., the production features a talented cast of area actors: Lauren Hoag (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), Kit Colbourn (Fishkill, N.Y.), Michael Wright (Newtown), Steve Stott (Brookfield), Lynn Nissenbaum (New Milford), and Gillian Previn (Bridgewater).

Besides Mr. and Mrs. Almquist, the show's crew includes set designer Josh Siegel, costumer Terry Hawley, lighting designer Al Chiappetta, sound designer David White, and stage manager David Bailey.

Blithe Spirit first premiered in London at the Piccadilly Theatre on July 2, 1941, during the throes of the Blitz. The play made its Broadway debut at the Morosco Theatre on November 5, 1941. In the 75 years since its premiere, the show has had countless revivals in the UK, the U.S., and all over the world. The play spawned a hit film in 1945, directed by David Lean and starring Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings. Theatremania.com called the play "a world-class comedy," in reference to the 2009 Broadway revival.

Blithe Spirit runs April 29,30 May 6,7,8 13,14 20,21,22. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on May 8 and 22. Tickets for all shows are $22 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under.

On Thursday, April 28, all patrons are invited to attend a "Half-Price Preview Night" at 8:00 p.m. where all tickets are only $11. Students may see any performance for $11 if they pay in cash only at the door and carry a valid student ID. Students may not make reservations in advance for a performance.

Reservations can be made online at shermanplayers.org or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622.

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