PV theater to perform comedy 'Blithe Spirit' on Friday, Saturday

The cast and crew of Prairie View High School's production of the Noël Coward classic comedy "Blithe Spirit" includes, front from left, Bailey Hughes, Cheyann Coffman; second row, Trever Nelson, Cash Litner, Cecilia Brockway, Tabetha Stone; back row, Danaca Brake and Paige Utech. (Roger Sims/Linn County Journal)

Novelist Charles Condomine is trying to gather some material for his new book. He enlists the services of an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct a séance to contact the spirit world.

As a result of the séance, however, the spirit of his first wife, Elvira, is unleashed. A headstrong and temperamental woman when she was alive, Elvira’s ghost is no different, and her haunting focuses on making life difficult for Charles and his second wife, Ruth, who cannot hear or see the ghost.

That is the plot line of the comedy “Blithe Spirit,” which will be performed by the Prairie View High School theater department at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10 and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 11.

A classic Noël Coward comedy, the Prairie View production features Trever Nelson as Charles, Tabetha Stone as Elvira, and Cecilia Brockway as Ruth. Paige Utech takes on the role of Madame Arcati, Danaca Brake performs the part of Edith, and Collin Pope and Madilyn Weir are Doctor and Mrs. Bradman.

“This play is a great combination of witty and ridiculous,” said director and drama teacher Austin Pixton. “What else can one expect when an intelligent British author accidentally conjures up his dead wife's ghost.

“He must balance between dealing with the supernatural and keeping his marriage with his living wife intact. Warning: it doesn't go well.”