American International College players to stage ‘Blithe Spirit’

Nov. 4, 2016 |

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The theater arts program at American International College (AIC) is proud to present the ever popular and entertaining Noel Coward play “Blithe Spirt” on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Griswold Theater, Karen Sprague Cultural Center on the AIC campus.

The love triangle, of sorts, concerns socialite and novelist Charles Condomine who invites eccentric medium and clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his home to conduct a séance in an effort to gather material for his next book concerning the afterlife. It all backfires when Charles is subsequently haunted by the ghost of his jealous and “spirited” first wife Elvira who makes continual efforts to interfere with his marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear Elvira.

“This is an intellectually funny comedy of manners for our two men and five women cast,” says AIC Theater Arts Director Frank Borrelli. “Not only are the students performing in a farce, they are performing in a Noel Coward comedic farce. The actors are working with a dialect coach to prepare them for the British play. In addition, there will be lots of special effects woven into the production to add to the fun and excitement.”

This eternally popular play was first seen in London in 1941 and was one of the longest running nonmusical plays of its time. It has run on Broadway, been made into a film, adapted for television, and enjoyed several revivals both in London and New York City, the most recent on Broadway in 2009.

Admission is free and donations are appreciated. More information is available at www.aic.edu or 654-1486.

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