Just in time for Halloween, when thoughts turn to ghouls, goblins and ghosts, Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe is bringing “Blithe Spirit” to the stage in San Andreas. The faint at heart need not shy away from this show, for this ghostly tale will bring out the laughs rather than the chills.
“I was introduced to Noel Coward’s ‘Blithe Spirit’ back in high school, and it has remained a favorite of mine ever since,” said Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe Founder Cyndie Klorer. “I was looking for something appropriate for the upcoming fall holidays, and ‘Blithe Spirit’ just fit the bill. It is such a brilliantly written play. The characters are fun and relatable in what Coward calls an ‘improbable farce.’”
“Blithe Spirit” tells the story of Charles Condomine, a socialite and novelist who invites medium and clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his home for a seance. Condomine is only looking for material on the occult for his new novel and is skeptical of the eccentric Arcati, but his mind is changed when the median accidentally conjures up the ghost of Elvira, Condomine’s first wife, and she is none too pleased to find him married again, this time to the straight-laced Ruth.
“It is incredibly smart and funny, with a spiritual element that makes it especially fun for the Halloween season,” Klorer said.
The show is being staged by a case of seven, with Klorer directing. William Lawson stars as Charles Condomine; Alara Bowsher as Elvira; Ann Mazzaferro as Ruth; Rhonda Merril as Madame Arcati; Zie Harman as Edith, the maid; Missie Maury as Mrs. Bradman; and Denny Bowen as Dr. Condomine.
Klorer said the cast all hails from “one end of Calaveras County to the other, including Copperopolis, Murphys, and Rail Road Flat.”
“Blithe Spirit” marks the second show of the season for Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe, which staged “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” in August and September at the Metropolitan in San Andreas.
“After being ‘dark’ for 17 months, it has been simply amazing to finally take the stage again,” Klorer said. “Our community has welcomed us back with open arms — figuratively speaking, since we’re still practicing social distancing. It just feels so good to be back where we belong, doing what we’re meant to do.”
The show will have a specialty cocktail for purchase called the Elvira. It’s a vanilla martini with swirling spooky sparkles and costs $6.
If you go:
Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe opens Blithe Spirit
WHERE:
The Metropolitan, 59 Main Street, San Andreas
WHEN:
Oct. 8 and runs every weekend through Nov. 7.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
TICKETS:
Tickets are $10 to $15 and will be available at the door, by reservation
CONTACT:
209 754-5555 or online at https://bit.ly/3un8wNn
