Blithe Spirit
by Noël Coward
Directed by: Shauna Kiefiuk
Auditions: June 23, 24, 25 (callbacks)
Performances: September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28; October 2, 3, 4, 2025

A smash comedy hit in London and New York, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira. Clever, insistent and well aware of Charles’ shortcomings, Elvira is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” the eccentric and flighty Madame Arcati. As everyone’s personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed. She “passes over” and joins Elvira, allowing the two “blithe spirits” to haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity. (Concord Theatricals).
Directors
Shauna Kiefiuk has been involved with ACT since 2002. Previously, she has directed Charley’s Aunt, The Dinner Party, The Unexpected Guest, Rabbit Hole, The Butler Did It, The Odd Couple and Independence. Shauna has been onstage in several shows as well as musicals. She was the assistant director for Fat Pig, Hay Fever, The Game’s Afoot and A Little Piece of Heaven. Shauna is also the Properties Manager.
Director’s email: shauna.kiefiuk@albanycivic.org
Cast of Characters
Ruth Condomine: FP 30-40; Wife, sensible, sophisticated, witty,
predictable, well-mannered, prudish
Charles Condomine: MP 35-45; Novelist, writer, husband, cynical,
sarcastic, irresponsible, confused
Elvira Condomine: FP 35-45: Wife, deceased, ghost, spirit, cynical,
sarcastic, naughty, argumentative, passionate, wild, carefree
Edith: FP 20-35; Maid, psychic, nervous, worried, naïve, young
Dr. George Bradman: MP 40-55; Doctor, skeptical, worried, friend, loyal, kind
Mrs. Violet Bradman: FP 35-50; Wife, sweet, excitable, simple, naïve
Madame Arcati: FP 45-65; Spiritualist, medium, eccentric,
enthusiastic, effusive, patient, boisterous