Jayne Atkinson News

One of the many delights of director Michael Blakemore's revival of Noel Coward's giddily funny 1941 froth, Blithe Spirit, is that this 2009 production looks like it could have been seen in the play's premiere year. No doubt contemporary Broadway theatre can provide more spectacular ways for an actress playing a ghost to enter a room than to just have her walk through the French windows. And certainly if an invisible spirit chooses to destroy her husband's drawing room, modern technology can whip up a few tricks more gasp-inducing than simply having a picture frame fall and a bookshelf topple over. But when you have one of the English language's great comedies played by a company that excels in the verbal dexterity of the playwright's wit, there's no need for such distractions.

Meet gossip columnists MR. & MRS. FITCH. When the social circuit no longer provides any scandalous news, they find that great celebrity can appear out of thin air. Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane's wicked new comedy is a scathing look at who is in, who is out and who may not even exist at all.

Williamstown Theatre Festival presents the final production of the season, Quartermaine's Terms by Simon Gray. Tony-nominated director Maria Aitken (Broadway and West End's award-winning production of The 39 Steps) directs this production which plays in Williamstown from August 12-23.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit completed its limited Broadway run at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street) on Sunday, July 19th, 2009.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit completes its limited Broadway run at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street) today July 19th, 2009.

Variety reports that the current Broadway revival of 'Blithe Spirit' has recouped its investment cost of $2.68 million. Producers of the revival of the 1941 Noel Coward comedy, which opened in March, announced that it made its money back just before it finishes off its limited run this Sunday.

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters hosted the eleventh annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies.

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters recently welcomed new celebrities Michael Urie, Carol Kane, Dee Hoty who will be joined by such luminaries of stage and screen as Ashanti (The Wiz), Jayne Atkinson (Blithe Spirit), Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5), Tovah Feldshuh (Irena's Vow), Audra McDonald (Twelfth Night), Becki Newton (Ugly Betty), and Will Swenson (Hair)

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters recently welcomed new celebrities Michael Urie, Carol Kane, Dee Hoty who will be joined by such luminaries of stage and screen as Ashanti (The Wiz), Jayne Atkinson (Blithe Spirit), Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5), Tovah Feldshuh (Irena's Vow), Audra McDonald (Twelfth Night), Becki Newton (Ugly Betty), and Will Swenson (Hair)

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters will host the eleventh annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by the ASPCA and PEDIGREE® with additional sponsorship by the New York Times will take place on Saturday, July 11h in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Artistic Director Nicholas Martin has announced the casting for the second Nikos Stage show of the 2009 season, What is the Cause of Thunder? by Noah Haidle (Saturn Returns, Mr. Marmalade) playing July 22-August 2.

The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were held tonight, Sunday, May 17, 2009 in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Drama Desk nominees received their official Nomination Certificates at a cocktail reception on Friday, May 1st at Il Bastardo restaurant, 191 Seventh Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets).

The Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) has announced casting for its 2009 Main Stage Season running from July 1 to August 23 at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance in Williamstown, MA. In making the announcement Artistic Director Nicholas Martin said, 'I am so thrilled to bring this decorated and talented group of artists to the Berkshires this summer for our 55th Anniversary Season.'

Following a critically acclaimed season which included the Pulitzer Prize finalist Becky Shaw and the Broadway transfer of its musical hit Next to Normal, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) has announced three of the four plays scheduled for its upcoming 31st Season.

BC/EFA Offers ANGELA LANSBURY Auction package on Ebay: What a great package and what fantastic collectibles for any fan of the legendary ANGELA LANSBURY-an original piece of artwork by the 4-time Tony Award-winning performer.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Sunday, March 22, 2009.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld and Broadway Beat were there to capture all the excitement of Opening Night with clips from the show and interviews with the starry cast! Led by two time Tony Award winner directore Michael Blakemore (Kiss Me, Kate; Copenhagen, City of Angels, Noises Off!) leads the cast of this newest addition to the Great White Way which stars 4 time Tony-award winner Angela Lansbury (Sweeney Todd,Gypsy, Dear World, Mame), Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, An Ideal Husband), two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street), and two time Tony nominee Jayne Atkinson ('24', 'Recount' Enchanted April). Simon Jones (Waiting in the Wings, The Real Thing), Deborah Rush (Noises Off!) and Susan Louise O'Connor (Walk Two Moons) round out the cast.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). We were of course there to bring you all the excitement of the opening night party!

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). We were there to capture all the starry arrivals at opening night!

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld.com was of course there to bring you all the excitement of opening night!