NOEL COWARDS COMEDY BLITHE SPIRIT COMING TO CDC THEATRE

Opening on February 10, Noel Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit will be the first production of 2017 at CDC Theatre in Cranford. Located at 78 Winans Ave, CDC Theatre is the oldest continuously producing community theatre in New JerseyAs Blithe Spirit begins, novelist Charles Condomine is preparing to host a séance to be conducted by a medium known as Madame Arcati. For him, it’s a jokey way to do research for a new novel, appropriately titled The Unseen. Unexpectedly, however, the evening ends with the spectral reappearance of his first wife, Elvira, pronounced Elveera, who has been dead for five years.
Only Charles can see her, which causes immediate problems with his very-much-alive second wife, briskly efficient Ruth. Charmed at first by the ghostly Elvira–with whom he shared a more passionate union than with Ruth–Charles quickly gets caught between the two.
Directed by Bill Sesselberg the cast includes Timothy McGovern as Charles, Lisa Black as Ruth, Judi Lagagna as Madame Acarti, Ashley Widmer as Elvira, Alan Foster and Danielle Levitt as Dr. and Mrs. Bradman and Susan Roberts as Ethel.
“Blithe Spirit is one of Noel Coward’s great comedies, and it still brings laughs from improbable occurrences in familiar situations.” Says director Bill Sesselberg, “I’ve seen a few productions of this play, including one in London with Angela Lansbury, and it always was an enjoyable performance. I enjoy directing comedies–the wordplay, the physical action, and great characters all are a lot of fun to work with. The cast is great–hard-working, eager to contribute their ideas and help each other bring out the best in each scene. The ideas, skills, and hard-work of the staff behind the scenes all make this play as good as it is. I’ve always heard great things about CDC, and I’m proud and thankful to have the opportunity to direct there.”
The show will run from February 10 through the 18 and details and ticket information can be found by visiting www.cdctheatre.org. Funding has been made possible in part by the NJ State Council on the Arts, Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.