Blithe Spirit 1943

Opened: September 6, 1943

Blithe Spirit - 1943 - Broadway History , Info & More

Morosco Theatre
217 West 45th Street New York, NY

Blithe Spirit is a classic comedy play, written by Noël Coward in 1941. The play follows the story of novelist Charles Condomine who, hoping to gather material for his next book, invites eccentric medium Madame Arcati to conduct a séance in his home. The séance proves a little too successful when it accidentally conjures the ghost of Charles' deceased first wife, Elvira. This comedic situation unfolds as Charles struggles to deal with his formidable first wife's return, all while trying to keep it a secret from his very much alive second wife, Ruth. The play was a massive success, running for nearly 2,000 performances in London's West End alone. It has been revived numerous times and even adapted into a 1945 film of the same name.



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Tracee Chimo Pallero, Santino Fontana, Morgan Spector and Jason Butler Harner Join Roundabout's FALLEN ANGELS Benefit Reading
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 17, 2023


Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced additional casting for the special Benefit Reading of Noël Coward’s Fallen Angels, directed by Scott Ellis. Check out who will join previously announced Kelli O'Hara and Rose Byrne.

Rose Byrne & Kelli O'Hara to Star in FALLEN ANGELS Benefit Reading at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 12, 2023


Roundabout Theatre Company will present a special Benefit Reading of Noël Coward’s Fallen Angels, directed by Scott Ellis starring Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara. Learn how to purchase tickets!

American Premiere of Noël Coward's THE RAT TRAP to Open Next Week NY City Center Stage II
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 18, 2022


Mint Theater Company returns to New York City Ce nter Stage II with the American premiere of Noël Coward’s The Rat Trap, directed by Alexander Lass, opening Monday November 21st (7pm) at New York City Center Stage II for a limited Off-Broadway engagement through December 10th only. 

Adam Lambert Will Cover Noel Coward's 'Mad About The Boy' For Forthcoming Documentary
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2022


Adam Lambert will cover Noel Coward's 'Mad About The Boy' in the upcoming documentary of the same name, due out in 2023.

Mint Theater to Present American Premiere of Noël Coward's THE RAT TRAP & World Premiere of BECOMES A WOMAN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2022


The Mint Theater company will be presenting the American Premiere of Noel Coward's The Rap Trap, and the world premiere of Becomes a Woman by Betty Smith (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn).

Raven Theatre to Open 40th Anniversary Season with PRIVATE LIVES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 21, 2022


Raven Theatre, Chicago’s newest Equity-affiliated theatre, will open its 40th Anniversary Season with a fresh take on Noël Coward’s iconic 1930 comedy Private Lives, directed by Ian Frank, playing September 29 – November 13, 2022 on Raven’s 85-seat East Stage.

Chicago Premiere of RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN & More Announced for Raven Theatre's 40th Anniversary Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2022


Raven Theatre has announced its 40th Anniversary Season, kicking off this fall with a fresh take on Noël Coward’s iconic 1930 comedy Private Lives, directed by Ian Frank.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre Will Premiere A NIGHT BY THE RIVER TAY Beginning This Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 7, 2021


Inspired by the River Tay and its surrounding landscape - including Scotland's multi-award-winning, world-renowned outdoor extravaganza, The Enchanted Forest, with whom these commissions were in partnership - the nine works were originally performed last year as audio dramas, podcasts, short films.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre Announce Summer Ensemble For 70th Anniversary Season
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2021


This summer will be an entirely outdoor rep season in various locations across the Pitlochry campus. This twenty-two strong acting Ensemble will be performing in Pitlochry for different lengths of time throughout the summer, some for a week, some for two and others for many months.

Playhouse On Park Will Stream ELYOT & AMANDA: ALL ALONE From Noël Coward's PRIVATE LIVES
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2021


ELYOT & AMANDA: ALL ALONE from Noël Coward's PRIVATE LIVES is the next production in Playhouse on Park's 12th Main Stage Season. Veanne Cox and Ezra Barnes will co-star in this timely, lighthearted adaptation. It will be available to stream online from February 10th - 28th, 2021.

Gingold Theatrical Group Continues 14th Season of Project Shaw, Art as Activism: A Theatrical Survival Guide
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 13, 2019


Gingold Theatrical Group (David Staller, Artistic Director) will continue the 14th Season of Project Shaw, Art as Activism: A Theatrical Survival Guide, a special series of evenings of plays that embrace human rights and free speech. All of GTG's programming, inspired by the works of George Bernard Shaw, are designed to provoke peaceful discussion and activism.

SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS to Open In NYC This August
by Julie Musbach - Jul 23, 2019


Avrenim Creatives brings to the New York theater the English translation world premiere of Sophie Scholl - The Final Days, written by Betty Hensel and Fred Breinersdorfer.

Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program Offers A Witty, Bubbly Production Of HAY FEVER
by Julie Musbach - Feb 13, 2019


The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program is proud to present Noel Coward's classic comedy Hay Fever. This madcap play about a weekend with the eccentric Bliss family will star the MFA Class of 2020 and a guest performer.  Director Jerrold Scott's production will take the audience back to the 1920's and remind them of the joy of life and fear of boredom. The show will run from February 27th-March 9th in Helen Theatre at Playhouse Square.

Casting Announced For JEANNIE at the Finborough Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 2, 2018


A 1930s comedy for Christmas, Jeannie by rediscovered female playwright Aimee Stuart will open at the Finborough Theatre for a four-week limited season on Tuesday, 27 November 2018 (Press Nights: Thursday, 29 November and Friday, 30 November 2018 at 7.30pm).

North Coast Rep Announces 37th Season
by BWW News Desk - Sep 5, 2018


North Coast Repertory Theatre launches Season 37 with an intriguing array of riotous comedy, a powerful family drama, a suspense-filled Sherlock Holmes mystery, an eye-opening personal conversation between a U.S. and Soviet arms negotiators, and a colorful musical from the creators of the legendary Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. The compelling lineup includes two West Coast premieres and one World premiere. North Coast Repertory Theatre, a non-profit professional theatre company, has evolved into one of the area's leading performing arts organizations that is recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to excellence. In a single night, you can be transported to a different time and place and be transformed by the experience.

North Coast Rep Announces 37th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 17, 2018


North Coast Repertory Theatre launches Season 37 with an intriguing array of riotous comedy, a powerful family drama, a suspense-filled Sherlock Holmes mystery, an eye-opening personal conversation between a U.S. and Soviet arms negotiators, and a colorful musical from the creators of the legendary Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. The compelling lineup includes two West Coast premieres and one World premiere. North Coast Repertory Theatre, a non-profit professional theatre company, has evolved into one of the area's leading performing arts organizations that is recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to excellence. In a single night, you can be transported to a different time and place and be transformed by the experience.

Leigh Barrett to Lead SOUVENIR at the Lyric Stage; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Oct 20, 2017


Spiro Veloudos remounts one of his favorite productions in celebration of his 20 years as Producing Artistic Director.

Leigh Barrett to Lead SOUVENIR at the Lyric Stage; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Sep 18, 2017


Spiro Veloudos remounts one of his favorite productions in celebration of his 20 years as Producing Artistic Director.

Casting Announced For James Bridie's MR. GILLIE at Finborough Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jun 5, 2017


In a new production commissioned by the Finborough Theatre and continuing their rediscovery of James Bridie, one of the West End's most successful dramatists of the 1930s and 1940s, the first London production since its 1950 premiere of Mr Gillie runs at the Finborough Theatre, playing Sunday and Monday evenings and Tuesday matinees from Sunday, 25 June 2017 (Press Night: Monday, 26 June 2017 at 7.30pm).

Finborough Theatre to Present First London Production in Over 60 Years of MR GILLIE
by BWW News Desk - May 31, 2017


In a new production commissioned by the Finborough Theatre and continuing their rediscovery of James Bridie, one of the West End's most successful dramatists of the 1930s and 1940s, the first London production since its 1950 premiere of Mr Gillie runs at the Finborough Theatre, playing Sunday and Monday evenings and Tuesday matinees from Sunday, 25 June 2017.

Geva Theatre Center presents PRIVATE LIVES
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2017


Geva Theatre Center presents Private Lives, Noel Coward's hilarious comedy of manners.Private Lives is directed by Mark Cuddy and will be performed in the Wilson Stage from March 21 to April 16.

Belinda Lang and Jules Melvin Join the Cast of Moira Buffini's GABRIEL
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2017


???????Theatre6 and Catherine Schreiber are delighted to announce further casting for the UK Tour of Moira Buffini's Gabriel, which opens in London at Richmond Theatre on Tuesday 28 March 2017, with a national press night on Friday 31 March 2017. This will be the 20th anniversary production of Gabriel and is only the second professional production since it was first staged at the Soho Theatre in 1997.

Finborough Theatre Presents of DR. ANGELUS
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 1, 2016


In a production commissioned by the Finborough Theatre, and rediscovering one of the West End's most popular dramatists of the 1930s and 1940s, Dr Angelus by James Bridie starring David Rintoul and Malcolm Rennie plays at the acclaimed Finborough Theatre on Sunday and Monday evenings and Tuesday matinees from Sunday, 27 November 2016 (Press Night: Monday, 28 November 2016 at 7.30pm).

Breaking News: Kevin Kline Will Return to Broadway Next Year in PRESENT LAUGHTER
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 27, 2016


Back in February, BroadwayWorld reported that stage and screen star Kevin Kline would star in The Acting Company's reading presentation of Noel Coward's charming comedy PRESENT LAUGHTER. Now he's taking the show to Broadway, according to the New York Times.  

MCT's FALLEN ANGELS to Run 4/14-5/1
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 22, 2016


Milwaukee Chamber Theatre closes it 2015-2016 season with the stylish, witty and sparking classic, FALLEN ANGELS by the master of comedy Noel Coward, April 14 - May 1, 2016. Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright will direct MCT favorites Kay Allmand, Matt Koester, Beth Mulkerron, Rick Pendzich, Molly Rhode and Chase Stoeger. FALLEN ANGELS performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Blithe Spirit FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Blithe Spirit have there been?
Blithe Spirit has had 8 productions including Broadway which opened in 1941, Broadway which opened in 1943, Broadway which opened in 1987, Broadway which opened in 2009, West End which opened in 2011, West End which opened in 2014, US Tour which opened in 2014 and West End which opened in 2021.

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