Blithe Spirit
by Noël Coward
The Naples Players, Florida, USA
Nominated for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play (Emma Canalese), Best Performer in a Play (Jessica Walck, James Duggan), Best Supporting Performer in a Play (Esther Snyder), and Best Scenic Design in a Play or Musical (Todd Potter) Broadway World Regional Awards 2022
Blithe Spirit is set at the house of writer, Charles Condomine, and his wife, Ruth. One evening, Charles invites local eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a seance at his house. He asks along his friends, Dr. and Mrs. Bradman, intending to gather character inspiration from Madame Arcati for his latest book. Despite initially thinking the seance has been a failure, it soon becomes clear that Madame Arcati has unwittingly brought back Charles’ first wife, Elvira, to haunt him. Once in his house, Elvira is unable to leave and, as she cannot be seen or heard by Ruth, she causes all kinds of mischievous trouble between the married couple. When Elvira unwittingly causes Ruth’s death in her attempts to bring Charles over to be with her, Charles becomes haunted by both of his now-deceased wives. Frustrated by their odd situation, the threesome call on Madame Arcati once more to send Elvira and Ruth back to the other side. Intensely funny and character-driven, Blithe Spirit combines farce, emotion, and wit to great effect.
Listen to interview with WCGU News (PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida) about our production here
Director Emma Canalese
Writer Noël Coward
Set Design Todd Potter Sound Designer Sean McGinley
Costume Designer Mollie LaTorre Lighting Designer Andrew Vance
Assistant Director Julie Ewing Stage Manager Jules Branche
Performed by Jessica Walck, James Duggan, Erica Jones, Kathleen Barney, Esther Snyder, Shelley Gothard and Karl Chery
Photography by Naples Creative
