Osborne-helmed 'Blithe Spirit' opens at Chaffin's Barn for 2/11-3/13 run

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, the big comedy hit of last season on Broadway in a revival starring Angela Lansbury as the wacky medium Madame Arcati, comes to the stage of Nashville's Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in a new production directed by J. Dietz Osborne and starring Martha Manning in the role that won Lansbury her latest Tony Award.

Opening Thursday, February 11, Blithe Spirit runs at Chaffin's Barn, the city's premiere dinner theatre that was voted one of Nashville's Top 10 Tourist Destinations, through March 13.

Blithe Spirit offers up the story of fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine. Widower Charles is remarried to Ruth but haunted by the ghost of his first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is summoned from the spirit world by a visiting "happy medium," Madame Arcati.

In addition to Manning, the cast includes Melodie Madden Adams, Chris Bosen, Nate Eppler (as Charles), Erin Parker, Tammie Whited and Holly Shepherd as Elvira.

Osborne is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Children's Theatre. He has worked extensively both as an actor and as a director/choreographer throughout the region.

Reservations are required for Blithe Spirit; call (615) 646-9977 to book your spot for an evening of food and entertainmetn. The buffet is served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday evenings, with the show's curtain at 8 p.m.

Two senior matinees are scheduled during the run, on February 18 and 27; the house opens at 11 a.m. with the show at noon. Senior matinees are $19 and are tagged "bring-your-own-lunch," with beverages provided, or patrons can order boxed lunches for an additional $8.50. A Sunday matinee is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, with the buffet served from noon to 1:30 p.m. and the show at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices for evening shows and the Sunday, February 14, matinee is $50 per adult; students 13-18 are $35 for dinner and show; and children 12 and under tickets are $25 for dinner and show. Show only tickets are also available for adults $33; children 12 and under $25.

A Special Valentine's Event will be held Saturday, February 13. Call the theatre box office for details. The Special Valentine's Sweetheart event is only $180 per couple, and includes hors d'hoeuvres, full dinner buffet, the show, a bottle of champagne, souvenir gasses, a rose for the aadies and drawings for prizes from local merchants.

Pictured: Erin Parker, Martha Manning and Nate Eppler (seated), with Holly Shepherd (standing) in Blithe Spirit at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre

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