With the next Bootless production several months away, you’d think it’d be time for some rest and relaxation. Not so! Even when we’re not in rehearsals, we like to keep ourselves busy. With the thriving Delaware arts community, it’s certainly not difficult to find something to do. Our very own Executive and Artistic Director, actress, and wearer of many hats – Rosanne DellAversano – is now a reviewer for Stage Magazine!
She posted her first review this Monday about the Chapel Street Players’ production of Blythe Spirit. Check out an excerpt below and then head over to Stage Magazine’s website to read the rest of the review.
BLITHE SPIRIT at Chapel Street Players: Such Harmonious Madness!
“Chapel Street Players’ production of BLITHE SPIRIT materializes into an evening of wit, humor and ghostly fun.
When fussy novelist, Charles Condomine, needs to conduct research for his next book, he invites the eccentric, “happy medium,” Madame Arcati, to a quaint soiree for a friendly séance. Events go awry when Madame Arcati unknowingly conjures Charles’ impetuous first wife, Elvira, who has been dead for seven years. However, Elvira can only be seen by Charles. Ruth, the priggish new wife, thinks Charles has gone mad (that is until Elvira offers a vase to Ruth in an all but too ghostly manner). Elvira’s devilish efforts to reclaim Charles (either in this world or the next) backfire when Ruth is killed while driving the car rigged to kill Charles. Ruth, in true spirited fashion, immediately returns to exact her revenge on Elvira. And, although Charles can see Elvira, Ruth remains invisible to everyone. Madame Arcati is called back to rid Charles of both misbehaving spirits but, instead, Ruth materializes and the two wives continue their battle royal whilst throwing the entire household into chaos. After several unique attempts to banish the spirits, Madame Arcati succeeds. Or, does she?
Written by Noël Coward in only five days, BLITHE SPIRIT takes its title from Shelley’s poem “To a Skylark” (“Hail to thee, blithe Spirit! / Bird thou never wert”). First seen in London in 1941, it created a new long-run record for non-musical British plays (1,997 performances) and also did well on Broadway later that year. The play enjoyed several revivals over the years and returned to Broadway in February 2009 with Angela Lansbury as Madame Arcati. (Ms Lansbury secured her fifth Tony Award with the revival – Best Featured Actress). The work has been adapted into film, musical theater, radio and television versions. The 1945 film version directed by David Lean works its way into Chapel Street’s production. The script, which can be rather wordy, has also been modified for this production.”
Check out the rest of her first review here: http://www.stagemagazine.org/2013/11/blithe-spirit-at-chapel-street-players/