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WCT stages mystical farce

‘Blithe Spirit’ opens Jan. 20

By Robert Cloud


When a seance leads to the return of a moody late wife, the result is a comedy by Noel Coward.

The Waupaca Community Theatre will stage “Blithe Spirit,” at the Waupaca Ale House.

The four dinner-theater productions are slated for 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 20 and 27, and 1:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 21 and 28.

The play’s director, Pam Lysne, said she first saw “Blithe Spirit” when she was in high school.

“It’s funny, but a little scary,” Lysne said. “Because we’re doing a dinner theater, we needed something that uses only one set and a few people.”

“Blithe Spirit” opens with Charles Condomine, played by Marshall Lysne, arranging for a seance as part of his research for a novel he is writing.

He invites Madame Arcati, who inadvertently summons the ghost of Condomine’s first wife, Elvira, played by Lori Bauer.

Although Elvira has been dead for several years, that does not stop her from trying to bring an untimely end to Condomine’s second marriage to Ruth, played by Pam Lysne.

Lysne noted the eccentric Madame Arcati has often been performed by well-known, older actresses “because you can have so much fun with it.”

Angela Lansbury won a Tony Award for her performance in the role.

Matt Bonikowske will be WCT’s Madame Arcati.

“Matt has no problem being over the top,” Lysne said.

Other cast members include Carmen Riebel as Edith, Kerry Lee Blanke as Dr. Bradman, Lori Blanke as Mrs. Bradman and Bella Saunders as the spirit who communicates with Madame Arcati.

An hors d’oeuvres buffet meal will start 90 minutes prior to each show, and a cash bar will be available.

The Waupaca Ale House is located at 201 Foxfire Drive, Waupaca.

Tickets are $35 each and must be ordered in advance by calling the Waupaca Ale House at 715-942-2424.

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