Simon Jones 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.

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.

Williamstown Theatre Festival Artistic Director Nicholas Martin has announced the cast of the final Nikos Stage show of the 2009 season, Caroline in Jersey by Melinda Lopez (Sonia Flew, Alexandros) and directed by Amanda Charlton (WTF Artistic Associate, Dissonance) playing August 5-16.

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 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.'

Broadway and film star Jeremy Irons will announce the second annual Theater Master's Visionary Award winners on Thursday, May 14th at a gala reception at the Manhattan home of Theater Masters' founder Julia Hansen.

The Actor's Company Theatre (TACT) 'Sweet Sixteen' gala honored legendary actress Angela Lansbury on Monday, May 11th at The Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th Street).

Tony Award-winner Faith Prince, currently starring on Broadway as the evil Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid, has been added to the starry line-up for The Actor's Company Theatre (TACT) 'Sweet Sixteen' gala honoring legendary actress Angela Lansbury on Monday, May 11th at The Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th Street). Ms. Prince will perform 'If He Walked Into My Life,' the eleven o'clock number from Jerry Herman's Broadway musical Mame. The celebratory evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. TACT company member Simon Jones (who stars with Ms. Lansbury in Blithe Spirit) will serve as master of ceremonies and introduce the evening's entertainment set to commence at 8:30 p.m.

Tony Award-winner Faith Prince, currently starring on Broadway as the evil Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid, has been added to the starry line-up for The Actor's Company Theatre (TACT) 'Sweet Sixteen' gala honoring legendary actress Angela Lansbury on Monday, May 11th at The Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th Street). Ms. Prince will perform 'If He Walked Into My Life,' the eleven o'clock number from Jerry Herman's Broadway musical Mame. The celebratory evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. TACT company member Simon Jones (who stars with Ms. Lansbury in Blithe Spirit) will serve as master of ceremonies and introduce the evening's entertainment set to commence at 8:30 p.m.

The Actor's Company Theatre (TACT) will honor legendary actress Angela Lansbury at its 'Sweet Sixteen' gala on Monday, May 11th at The Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th Street).

PROJECT SHAW, now in its third of its four year series, continues tackling every play George Bernard Shaw ever wrote. The group recently gave the 37th presentation. The rarely performed comedies by George Bernard Shaw were presented on Monday, APRIL 20th at 7pm at the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. David Staller was producer and director.

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.

'The INCA of PERUSALEM' With Two Other Extremely Rare and Tantalizing One-Acts! 'ARTHUR AND THEACETONE' & 'INTERLUDE AT THEPLAYHOUSE' by George Bernard Shaw Monday · APRIL 20, 7pm @THE PLAYERS 16 Gramercy Park South

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!

The Actors Company Theatre/TACT (Scott Alan Evans, Cynthia Harris and Simon Jones, C0-Artistic Directors), the critically-acclaimed company dedicated to presenting neglected or rarely produced plays of literary merit, will present Arthur Miller's 1964 drama, Incident at Vichy, the playwright's searing examination of the Holocaust. Presented in New York for the very first time since its original production (the play was commissioned for the new Lincoln Center Theatre Company, directed by Harold Clurman and starring Joseph Wiseman, David Wayne and Hal Holbrook), performances of Incident at Vichy begin Sunday, March 8th, 2009. Opening night is Monday, March 16th at 7:30 pm. Performances will continue through Sunday, April 11th.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009. It will open Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street).