The Oswego Players are excited for their upcoming production of “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward.
Written in 1941, “Blithe Spirit” remained the longest-running comedy in British Theatre for years. The play brings an eccentric medium into the home of novelist Charles Condomine, conjuring up the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, and leading to a series of hilariously otherworldly complications. As the humorous chaos unfolds, the playwright deftly mixes sharp wit with spectral hijinks, creating an enduring favorite.
Coward’s play is a spirited charade about a man with two wives, one dead and another alive. In this production, these three characters are played by a trio of talented young adults.
Nolan Callahan began his acting career at the Frances Marion Brown Theatre, where he spent multiple years with the Oswego Children’s Theater. His love for acting began in high school, performing in “Pippin”, and then went on to play in every OHS Drama Club show he could. After a long theatrical hiatus during his collegiate studies in film, he has returned to The Oswego Players, this year.
Nolan describes his character Charles Condomine as a “middle-aged writer living in Kent. He is going to write a new novel exposing psychic mediums. He invites Madam Arcati to his home for a séance, and she ends up summoning the ghost of his first wife.”
“Charles starts out as a total non-believer. He thought that supernatural events were fake, and psychics were frauds. In his case, experiencing being haunted by a ghost turned his whole belief system upside down,” Nolan commented on his character’s journey through the paranormal.
When asked how he likes being in “Blithe Spirit” and working with the cast, Nolan said “It’s a pleasure being in a classic show. Being in a Noel Coward play is an essential mark on my acting career. The cast gets along great, and everyone was cast so well. Each person fits their roles excellently. We have great interplay amongst each other.”
Another talented cast member is Chloe Hill. “Blithe” is her third production with the Oswego Players. Her last appearance on the Frances Marion Brown Stage was in this Spring as Puck in A “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Other acting credits include “Yes, Virgina There is a Santa Claus” (Celeste), “The Importance of Being Earnest” (Miss Prism) and “Romeo and Juliet” (Romeo). She has a BA in Cinema and Theatre from SUNY Oswego.
Chloe plays Ruth, Charles’ second living wife. Chloe describes Ruth as “a woman who knows what she wants.”
“She is confident, collected and sure of herself. Overall, Ruth is very loving towards her husband until the supernatural events start happening around her home. She is unprepared for the paranormal since it is out of her control,” she added.
Chloe enjoys working on a classic play like “Blithe” – “It’s an old-fashioned play. The characters are elegant, and Coward wrote snappy dialogue that is so fun for an actor to resight.”
Chloe loves working with this cast, “The cast is so fun to work with. They bring life to their characters, and everyone has great spontaneous energy. I love being in a production with my boyfriend, Arlo. I brought him to auditions with me and have so enjoyed working with him onstage.”
When asked about working with director, Troy Pepper, Chole said “Troy has a vision for the show. He will collaborate with us to bring out a monument that an actor came up with. I love the ability to make my own choices.”
Hannah Kandt has been heavily involved in theatre, music, and art from a young age. She joined the Oswego Players in 2021 and has been in several shows since. She has portrayed characters in shows such as “While the Lights Were Out”, and “The Man Who Killed the Cure”. Hannah is thrilled to be portraying Elvira and can’t wait for you to see this hilarious play.
For Hannah this is her first real adult role, “I have mostly been in youth plays or cast as child, this production is my first adult leading role.”
She describes as Elvira as “Charles tragic dead first wife. As a ghost, Elivia is an awful person. She resents being dead. She wants to terrorize her living husband and his second wife. She wants to make their lives a living hell.” Hannah believes that Eliva personality is great mix of “sensuality, a charming demeanor and cunning nature.”
When asked about working with this cast and director Pepper, Hannah said “I have never worked with anyone on this cast before. We are all working well together and I can see these wonderful individuals as my friends. I really enjoy working with Troy. I have worked with him on a pervious production of his and really loved the rehearsal experience. Troy has come up with some excellent ideas and we are trying our best as actors to execute them. I would like to thank him for giving me a chance at playing this fantastic role.”
Performances of “Blithe Spirit” will run Fridays through Sundays, September 5th, 6th, and 7th and September 12th, 13th and 14th. Friday and Saturday performances will start at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. Tickets are currently on sale now at oswegoplayers.org/productions or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.
“Blithe Spirit” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
For more information and ticket sales please go to https://oswegoplayers.org/ or for phone reservations please call the Box Office at 315-343-5138.
Pictured, from left to right: seated on the couch, Elvira played by Hannah Kandt, and Ruth played by Chloe Hill. Standing Charles Condomine played by Nolan Callahan.