Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward

Magenta Theater kicks off its 2026 Season with an old favorite: “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward. Performances Jan 30 – Feb 15, 2026: Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm (Jan 30, Jan 31, Feb 5, Feb 6, Feb 7, Feb 12, Feb 13, Feb 14 at 7:30pm; Feb 1, Feb 8, Feb 15 at 2pm). Runtime approximately 2.5 hours including 15 minute intermission.

Directed by Dylan Sladky, featuring Cora Beeman (Edith), Emily Smith (Ruth), Travis Bilenski (Charles), Mike Briggs (Mr. Bradman), Elizabeth Sheiman (Mrs. Bradman), Alix Sanchez (Madame Arcati), Olivia Hughs (Elvira), Meredith Freeland and Michael Reid (Swing).

Advance purchase of tickets is recommended online at MAGENTATHEATER.COM for $28 + processing fees and at the door as inventory permits. For more information call (360) 949-3098, email info@magentatheater.com, or visit https://www.magentatheater.com/2026-season/blithe-spirit.


From Concord Theatricals:
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.