Cast of Benicia Theater Company’s spring performance “Blathe Spirit” opening on April 19th (Photo provided by Benicia Theater Company)
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the Benicia Theater Company will be reproducing Noel Coward's timeless comedy “Blithe Spirit.'' The play, which first appeared on his BTG stage in 1983, has now been revived 40 years later and is once again captivating local audiences.
Blithe Spirit revolves around novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati into his home to perform a séance. Unfortunately for Charles, the ghost of his deceased first wife Elvira appears and a series of hilarious and supernatural events occur.
The similarities between Elvira's return and the production's return are no mere coincidence.
“Just as theaters revive plays and reintroduce them to young people, the ghost of my wife returns,” said Kelsey Bye, a member of the Benicia Theater Group board of directors. “This is an opportunity to recognize and honor the work of our past, but also to bring it into the future and re-enact it for new generations to enjoy.”
Coward is well known for creating timeless situation plays, which makes his production choices classic choices even decades apart. Because it's not tied to a specific time and place, the focus is more on the characters who bring it to life.
“Local community theater is a very important part of Benicia's cultural fabric,” Kelsey Bye said. In addition to serving as a director, he also plays an important role in production.
Bye will play the ethereal character of Elvira, the ghost of his dead wife and the character who causes chaos at the heart of the play. As a relative newcomer to the stage, Bai said he was excited to try out such a unique role.
This will be Bai's second performance with the Benicia Theater Company, after making her stage debut last year as a flight attendant in “Boeing, Boing.'' “I’m a complete novice on stage,” Bye said. “The other members have been acting since they were kids. They bring so much talent that it's so inspiring to be around them.”
The strong cast has already proven their acting ability and professionalism in the early stages of rehearsals. Looking back on her first play, Bye said progress with this cast has been light years faster, with people learning lines faster and choosing characters intuitively.
Donna Turner, who plays the mysterious Madame Arcati, brings an extraordinarily explosive personality to the medium's role.
Even within the close-knit cast of seven, the vastness of the Bay Area is well-represented. This year saw the company's largest audition turnout in six years, offering a wide selection of top talent.
Looking ahead to what audiences will see for themselves in April, Bye said one of the things he's most looking forward to is the technical aspects. “The ghost returns and chaos ensues, books fly off the shelves, candlesticks are thrown, the dead wife's face appears in the mirror, and the chandelier falls.'' Special effects, lighting, and behind-the-scenes technical aspects The effort put into it creates an intense and exciting audience experience.
In its 60 years of operation, the community theater has benefited from the dedicated people who continue to visit the theater.
“We have a group of people who have been with us since the beginning,” Bye said. Their audience skews older, so Bai explained their recent efforts to reach more viewers under 40 by relaunching Instagram.
“We're trying to bring in young people who maybe haven't been to the theater before,” Bai said. “The future of theater depends on getting more young people invested and interested.”
In addition to reaching new audiences, the community theater hopes to submit the production to the Artie Awards, an annual gala event that honors outstanding achievements in the performing arts in the Solano and Napa counties.
Bai is already expecting an enthusiastic reception for the play. “We're already on stage and having a blast,” she said.
If you go:
what: Benicia Theater Company “Bliss Spirit”
when: April 19th – May 12th, Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm.Sunday, 2pm
where: Benicia Theatre, 140 West J St., Benicia.
ticket: General admission $26, seniors and students $24. Book your tickets online: beniciatg.booktix.net/