Blithe Spirit at Covey Center for the Arts Will Keep You Laughing

By Kimberlee St. Clair

A timeless haunting, Blithe Spirit presented by Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah, is full of surprises.  Written by playwright Noel Coward during the World War II era, Blithe Spirit gave audiences a bit of light-hearted humor during an otherwise difficult time.  On its opening run in 1941, it continued to run for nearly 2,000 performances and was considered a great success.

Under the direction of Jarom C. Brown, Blithe Spirit opens in a beautifully decorated 1940s English style living room, complete with a Kimball upright piano and gramophone, set design team Jessica Moody, Rem White, Sophie Tuckfield, Kelty Heppler, Spencer Powell, and Michael Larson include all the details to create a seemingly quiet night at home with the Condomine’s.  The special effects, especially during the closing scene, are startling and perfectly timed. Costume design, hair, and make-up are expertly chosen by Ashley Magoffin, and includes beautifully fitted, conservative dresses and high-waisted pant suits for Ruth Condomine (Madeline McBeth) while Elvira Condomine (Liza Tomkinson) dons a cream chiffon and lace dress, reflective of the various styles of the time.

Charles Condomine (Adam M. Argyle) is excellent in his role as a British husband, and I especially enjoyed watching him argue back and forth between his current wife, Ruth, and his first wife Elvira.  His continuous physical reactions to his emotions are on point the entire show.  Ruth Condomine and Elvira Condomine are perfect counterparts, Ruth playing the more pragmatic and conscientious part while Elvira steps in with devious plans to create upheaval, complete with eye-rolls and sarcasm.

Both Dr. Bradman (Brown) and Mrs. Bradman (Chealsea Frandsen) are skeptical of the whole event, and become more irritated by the entire experience throughout the show.  Edith (Zel Bromley) evokes laughter from the audience with every entrance and exit.  Her facial expressions are comical, and she has constant mishaps; even watching her walk about the stage is hysterical.

Stealing the show with her outrageous trances, Madame Arcati (Heidi Scott) is over-the-top in her role as medium.  Her gestures capture the eccentricities of her overzealous character and contribute to her amusing character as she brings exoplasmic manifestations to life.

Following the production of Blithe Spirit, the audience is invited (every Thursday night) to stay for a talk back led by dramaturg Amelia Johnson.  She gave further insight into the historic context of the playwright, as well as answering audience questions about various aspects of the production. 

Blithe Spirit brings as much of an opportunity today to laugh and step away from present worries, as it did when it was written in the 1940s.  Be sure and catch the jokes and pranks from beyond, in Blithe Spirit.

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Note: I would recommend this show for tweens and teens and up. The content has nothing objectionable, but it is a fun, quirky show that runs just under three hours. Hard for younger ones to stay attentive.

Covey Center for the Arts presents Blithe Spirit, written by Noel Coward.
Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601
February 22 – March 16, 2019 7:30 PM
Tickets: $14 – $16
Contact: 801-852-7007  
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