BEMIDJI — It will be a family affair when the Bemidji Community Theater opens "Blithe Spirit" for a two-week run this weekend.
The witty and charming farce by Noël Coward opens at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 12, at the BCT Performing Arts Center, 316 Beltrami Ave. NW.
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Among the seven cast members are a husband and wife, Steven and Anna Mayer, and a mother and daughter, Amy and Elisa Strande. Steven Mayer plays lead character Charles Condomine. Anna Mayer plays his first wife, Elvira. Amy Strande plays family friend Violet Bradman. Elisa Strande plays Edith, the family’s maid.
Meanwhile, Julie Kaiser wears two hats. She is the production’s director and plays the role of Madame Arcati.
“Putting on two hats is kind of an interesting endeavor,” said Kaiser, who also portrayed Madame Arcati in a Vision Theater production several years ago. “I joked about playing it again, but I didn’t think it would happen. But the actor I wanted to cast in the role couldn’t do it. We were kind of behind on the schedule, so rather than having somebody else come in I decided to do it.
"It’s just been different because you don’t get the perspective that you normally get. But I have a marvelous stage manager and co-director in Vickie Stenerson. I trust her eye, and she knows what my vision is. So she’s been a godsend.”
Other cast members are Rebecca Swanson as Charles’ second wife, Ruth, and Reed Peterson as Dr. George Bradman.
Steven Mayer also played the widower Charles Condomine in that early Vision Theater production. Charles’ remarriage to Ruth is complicated by the unexpected appearance of his deceased wife's spirit following a séance conducted by eccentric medium Madame Arcati.
First thinking that the séance is a failure, it seems Madame Arcati has unwittingly brought back Charles’ deceased first wife, Elvira. Once arrived, Elvira is unable to leave. She cannot be seen or heard by Ruth and causes all kinds of mischievous trouble between Charles and Ruth.
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Kaiser said it has been easy to direct him in the role of Charles.
“Steven has a remarkable ability to remember vast amounts of dialog,” she said. “He devotes himself to a character. He’s doing a very good job of balancing wit and sarcasm.”
“Blithe Spirit” will continue with performances at 7 p.m. on July 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20, and at 2 p.m. on July 14 and 21. Tickets are available at McKenzie Place and Ken K. Thompson Jewelry. Prices are $15 for adults, $12 for elders and $6 for children. Limited concierge seating is also available for $25.
More information is available online at
The Trust Project
