'Blithe Spirit' haunts campus theater

By Chan Tran
Daily Forty-Niner

Spirits and spookiness will fill the University Players Theatre at Cal State Long Beach as the University Players bring the supernatural comedy "Blithe Spirit" to life.

"Spirit," which runs Nov. 17 to Dec. 9, was written by English playwright Noel Coward and tells the story of an author who has to deal with two wives–one living and one dead.

The show was written in the early '40s and ran for four-and-half years on London's West End theater, making it one of the biggest hits in its history.

"It's a tried-and-true contemporary comedy," said Elizabeth Taheri, the director. "The wit is crisp and lively."

At the beginning of the show, Charles is an author who has a séance on a medium to use for his book.

During the séance the medium conjures up the ghost of his first wife. Charles tries to balance his predicament for the rest of the play. The living wife eventually wants the ex-wife to be exorcised.

Director Elizabeth Taheri, who returns for her third production at Cal State Long Beach, wants the audience to have two hours of fun.

"It's a funny show, entertaining, very witty and hopefully a bit spooky," Taheri said.

The six-cast members (two male, four female), which rehearsed for six weeks will have to bring across Coward's witty English banter.

Taheri, directed Temple and Baily's "Southern Girl," one of the most successful shows for the University Players last year.

The play dramatized six women growing up in the south from 1962 to 1992 during a social upheaval in Birmingham, Ala. She also co-directed "Thanatopis Literary and Inside Straight Club," with Joanne Gordon, who directed the University Players 2000 season opening production "Side by Side by Sondheim."

For "Blithe," Taheri wants to go in a lighter direction.

"I want the actors to have a good time and the audience to enjoy it," Taheri said. "This is not a play that poses any deep social or psychological message."

THE UNIVERSITY PLAYERS 'BLITHE SPIRIT' INFORMATION

Dates and Show Times:

Tuesday through Thursday 6 p.m.
Nov. 28,29, 30
Dec. 5, 6,7

Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.
Nov. 17, 18
Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9

Saturday Matinee 2 p.m.
Nov. 18
Dec. 2, 9

Ticket Prices: $10.00
To Purchase Tickets:
Call the University Players' Box Office at (562) 432-1818 Tuesday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.