Blithe Spirit Revival

Reviewing mindless fun can be dangerous terrain.  In the first half of the last century magnificent wits like P.G. Wodehouse and George S. Kaufman wrote the books for mindlessly fun musical comedies showcasing scores by the likes of Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart and the Gershwins that invented a new sophistication in American music and lyrics.  The plots may have been silly, but the mindless fun of 1920s and 30s (Of Thee I Sing, Anything Goes, The Boys From Syracuse for starters) was often literate and inventive.

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.

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.

Beloved stage icon Angela Lansbury spoke to The New York Post's Michael Riedel about sad the passing of her friend and former 'Mame' co-star Bea Arthur.

Beloved stage icon Angela Lansbury gave a statement to Entertainment Tonight on the passing of her friend and former MAME co-star Bea Arthur.

Stage legend Lansbury is profiled in an a wonderful article in the Wall Street Journal, she gives a witty and candid interview on her return to Broadway.

Beloved stage icon Angela Lansbury will be a guest on The View on Thursday March 26th. 'The View' is hosted by Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. 'The View' airs weekdays at 11:00 AM, ET on ABC.

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!

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).

The producers of Blithe Spirit employ an official 'psychic consultant', Paula Roberts for the Broadway revival of Noel Coward's comic play, in which Angela Lansbury plays medium Madame Arcati. Roberts 'conjured' up all the info on the new production for The New York Daily News.

In-keeping with their series of 'Extraordinary EBay' packages, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is proud to announce an online auction item that will get you in the spirit of Broadway with BLITHE SPIRIT.

Beloved stage icon Angela Lansbury is featured in a short, but wonderful Q&A in the current New York magazine.

The producers of the upcoming Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit are pleased to welcome SUSAN LOUISE O'CONNOR in the role of 'Edith'.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit begins performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009. It will open Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). The starry Blithe Spirit cast revealed themselves to the media on Friday, January 30th at the 2nd Stage Theater Rehearsal Studio in midtown Manhattan, BroadwayWorld conjured up our cameras to bring you all the coverage on the special media event.

The producers of Blithe Spirit are looking for a real-life psychic or medium to work closely with the cast of the upcoming Broadway show to guarantee that each performance is every bit as genuine as possible.