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High Spirits

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 1m

Music, Lyrics and Book by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray
Based upon Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward

The musical adaptation of Blithe Spirit, this “Improbable Musical Comedy” concerns a widowed gentleman who, upon remarrying, finds himself haunted by the spirit of his strong-willed first wife.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Eight 1964 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Composer/Lyricist
High Spirits
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Details

Summary
Based on the play Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward, High Spirits is “An Improbable Musical Comedy” about the woes of a widowed gentleman who, upon remarrying, finds himself haunted by the spirit of his strong-willed first wife. The delightful score from Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray includes “Home Sweet Heaven,” “Faster Than Sound” and “Go Into Your Trance.”
History
High Spirits opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 7, 1964, starring Beatrice Lillie, Tammy Grimes and Edward Woodward. The production was directed by Noël Coward, author of Blithe Spirit. The West End production opened in November of 1964 at the Savoy Theatre, starring Cicely Courtneidge, Marti Stevens and Dennis Quilley.
  • Time Period 1960s
  • Setting Various locations in Hampstead Heath. 1964.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Cause for celebration! Effervescent… distinctive in grace and wit.” – The New York Times

“Cause for celebration! The book Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray have drawn from Noël Coward's effervescent Blithe Spirit builds cheerfully and smartly… The songs by Mr. Martin and Mr. Gray have suavity and style… distinctive in grace and wit.” – The New York Times

“Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray's High Spirits is a deliciously mindless and winning musical adaptation of Noël Coward's deliciously mindless and winning comedy Blithe Spirit.” – Curtain Up

Music

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Hugh Martin

Hugh Martin

Hugh Martin (1914-2011) was an American musical theater and film composer, arranger, vocal coach and playwright. He was best known for his score for the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis, in which Judy Garland sang three Martin songs: "The Boy Next Door," "The Trolley Son ...

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Author

Timothy Gray

Noël Coward

Noël Coward

Noël Peirce Coward was born in 1899 and made his professional stage debut as Prince Mussel in The Goldfish at the age of 12, leading to many child actor appearances over the next few years. His breakthrough in playwriting was the controversial The Vortex (1924), which feature ...

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