Lebanon Valley College to Perform "Blithe Spirit"

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Lebanon Valley College’s Wig and Buckle Theater Company will close its season with performances of Noël Coward’s 1941 play “Blithe Spirit.”

ANNVILLE, PA (04/20/2016)(readMedia)-- Lebanon Valley College's Wig and Buckle Theater Company will close its season with performances of Noël Coward's 1941 play "Blithe Spirit." The play debuts Friday, April 22 and is directed by Morgan Bates '16.

A true Coward comedy show, "Blithe Spirit" revolves around novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to his home to conduct a séance and gather research for a new book. Chaos soon ensues when Madame Arcati inadvertently summons the ghost of Elvira, Charles' long-deceased first wife. The spirit of Elvira continuously attempts to disrupt the household as well as Charles' marriage to his second wife Ruth, leading to things getting completely out of hand.

"Not only is 'Blithe Spirit' one of the best shows that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing or working on, but it is the best experience that I have had throughout my time in theater," said Bates. "This hilarious show has taken the actors involved to new heights with their talent and has given me, as the director, the chance to learn more than I could have ever anticipated."

"Blithe Spirit" stars Jarrod Goss '16, Shannon Kane '16, Sydney Fuhrman '18, Lacey Eriksen '16, Miranda Evitts '17, Jake Kanavins '18, and Hannah Brough '18. Megan English '16 stage-manages the production, and Theresa Peters '16 and Taylor Saraiva '15 designed and built the set.

"It's one of my favorite plays and Madame Arcati is one of my favorite characters. It's not every day that you get to play an exuberant and eccentric medium. She's a really fun character to play to wind down my college career," said Eriksen, who plays the medium Madame Arcati in her final role on the Leedy Theater stage.

"Through the hard work of everyone involved, we are ready to bring you the final production of our 80th season and hope everyone enjoys the show. With a variety of characters to meet throughout the show, everyone is guaranteed to find something to laugh at and a new show to fall in love with," said Bates.

The play is the third and final installment in Wig and Buckle's 2015–16 Diamond Season. The season features shows that focus on love, relationships, marriages, and what happens when they do and don't work. The Diamond Season also celebrates 80 years of Wig and Buckle at Lebanon Valley College, coinciding with the College's 150th anniversary.

Performances are scheduled for April 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m., and May 1 at 2 p.m. All shows are performed in Leedy Theater in the Mund College Center.

Tickets are available for reservation at www.wigandbuckle.com or by phone at 717-867-6162. Tickets are free for LVC students; $15 for adults; $10 for non-LVC students, alumni, and faculty; $5 for seniors age 60 and older; and $5 for children 10 and younger. Tickets will be available at the door, but reservations are strongly recommended.

About Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College is a private, coeducational college founded in 1866 and dedicated to the liberal arts. The College offers 36 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options, as well as graduate degree programs in athletic training, business administration, music education, physical therapy, and science education.

The College has 1,573 full-time undergraduate students and 106 full-time faculty. Students can choose from more than 90 clubs and organizations, and 12 study abroad programs. LVC awards generous academic scholarships to those whose high school records demonstrate a commitment to challenge and achievement.