Summary
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.
History
Blithe Spirit premiered on Broadway at the Morosco Theatre on November 5, 1941. Directed and produced by John C. Wilson, the production featured Clifton Webb, Leonora Corbett, Mildred Natwick and Peggy Wood. The play returned to Broadway in 1987, featuring
Richard Chamberlain, Blythe Danner, Judith Ivey and Geraldine Page. A 2009 Broadway revival, directed by Michael Blakemore, featured Rupert Everett, Christine Ebersole, Jayne Atkinson and Angela Lansbury. Lansbury, who was 83 years old at the time, won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.