The Blithe Spirit Press Release:
After months of controversy and delay, Noel Coward?s farce, Blithe Spirit, will find its home on stage at the Seaside Repertory Theatre at the end of February. The play, which had been previously contested as part of the curriculum at South Walton High School, will feature an all high school cast and crew. After news that the play would not be able to be performed at the school, the Rep decided to host the production and give the students a chance to put on the 1940s era play.
?We saw this as an opportunity to show our support for a play that has been performed for six decades,? says Director Kevin Boyle. ?This is a wonderful comedy that has been put in the wrong light. These actors should be given the chance to experience one of the best British playwrights of the 20th Century.?
The play tells the comedic story of a man named Charles, who comes face to face with his deceased ex-wife after taking part in a s?ance in is home. Hilarity ensues as the medium, Madame Arcati, extravagantly goes through the motions of reaching out beyond the grave in the quirkiest ways.
The Rep emphasizes the importance of not taking the play too seriously. ?If someone were to read this play cold, it could come across as a very dark play. But once it is performed the way it should be, fans of Monty Python and Mel Brooks will feel right at home,? Boyle says, adding that ?this play is a great vehicle for these student actors to showcase their talent.?
As an added bonus, all proceeds raised from the performance will go to the newly formed Rep Internship Program. This program will offer hands-on experience for high school and college students looking to be a part of a professional regional theatre. ?We have already received a number of donations that have been earmarked as contributions in support of the Rep doing this play,? Executive Director Craige Hoover explains. ?We have gotten a lot of positive community support.?
Blithe Spirit will have a three night run, February 27th-29th at 7:30 PM in the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre. Tickets go on sale February 13th and cost $15 each. For ticket reservations, call (850)231-0733.
Replies
46
Beach LoverAuthor
Tickets are selling fast, call 231-0733 or go online to make your reservation today!
If you aren't able to make it to the show but would still like to donate to the Rep Internship Program, click here. Click on the "JustGive.org" link and specify your donation for the "Rep Internship Program." You can also donate over the phone.
If you aren't able to make it to the show but would still like to donate to the Rep Internship Program, click here. Click on the "JustGive.org" link and specify your donation for the "Rep Internship Program." You can also donate over the phone.
SoWal Expert
Tickets are selling fast, call 231-0733 or go online to make your reservation today!
If you aren't able to make it to the show but would still like to donate to the Rep Internship Program, click here. Click on the "JustGive.org" link and specify your donation for the "Rep Internship Program." You can also donate over the phone.
Yes, I heard this bit of news today.;-)
Beach Fanatic
Bump!!
Hurry and get your tickets! They're going fast!
Hurry and get your tickets! They're going fast!
hmmmm......can't remember
Bump!!
Hurry and get your tickets! They're going fast!
Pictures! How did it go last night?
SoWal Expert
Pictures! How did it go last night?
It opens this Wednesday!
hmmmm......can't remember
NO WAY--I thought it was this weekend!
Dangit--I'll be rolling into town about the time it ends on Friday...
Dangit--I'll be rolling into town about the time it ends on Friday...
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
Have a wonderful run kids. I know it will be good. 
Beach Fanatic
NO WAY--I thought it was this weekend!
Dangit--I'll be rolling into town about the time it ends on Friday...
There's a VERY LARGE possibility we'll be having a show on Saturday! CALL THE BOX OFFICE!!!!!
hmmmm......can't remember
There's a VERY LARGE possibility we'll be having a show on Saturday! CALL THE BOX OFFICE!!!!!...and a large likelihood that I'll see you there! ;-)
Beach Fanatic
Yay!!!!
SoWal Expert
There's a VERY LARGE possibility we'll be having a show on Saturday! CALL THE BOX OFFICE!!!!!
231-0733
Beach Fanatic
Thanks! I probably should have thrown that in there....
Beach LoverAuthor
We have officially added the Saturday performance at 7:30PM! Call 231-0733 to make your reservation!
Or go online to www.seasiderep.org to get your tickets!
Or go online to www.seasiderep.org to get your tickets!
Edited
SoWal Insider
We have officially added the Saturday performance at 7:30PM! Call 231-0733 to make your reservation!
Or go online to www.seasiderep.org to get your tickets!
Break a leg, kids!
Beach LoverAuthor
We need concessions help for Wednesday through Friday. You get to keep the tips and watch the show for free! PM me if you're available for any of the nights. Thanks!
hmmmm......can't remember
I just bought one of the last 3 seats on Saturday?!?
You kids are popular!
You kids are popular!
SoWal Expert
I just bought one of the last 3 seats on Saturday?!?
You kids are popular!
Yes, they are. And deservedly so.
Glad you got a ticket NoHo!
hmmmm......can't remember
Yes, they are. And deservedly so.
Glad you got a ticket NoHo!
ME, TOO!!!
SoWal Expert
If you are lucky enough to be holding a ticket for Blithe Spirit, you are in for quite a performance! Those in the audience last night realized their good fortune rather quickly.
Opening night was magical in every way. Thanks to the Rep, the hard work of these students, and Kevin Boyle! Last fall, the whole Blithe Spirit issue could have ended at that school board meeting. Instead, the Rep stepped forward (waaay forward!), and now we not only have a top notch production of Blithe, but a fantastic (and now well funded) theater internship program that will open countless doors for students. These students ended up BIG winners, didn't they!!! Thanks to everyone who supported them- it was so important.
Does anyone have pictures?
Opening night was magical in every way. Thanks to the Rep, the hard work of these students, and Kevin Boyle! Last fall, the whole Blithe Spirit issue could have ended at that school board meeting. Instead, the Rep stepped forward (waaay forward!), and now we not only have a top notch production of Blithe, but a fantastic (and now well funded) theater internship program that will open countless doors for students. These students ended up BIG winners, didn't they!!!
Thanks to everyone who supported them- it was so important.Does anyone have pictures?
Edited
needs to get out more
Nice performance last night, an excellent comedy by Noel Coward. The students were having so much fun and delivered the show great aplomb. I'm glad the community is getting a chance to see this troupe put on this show. It's a strong testament to "where there's a will, there's a way" It's sad that an ugly, little group of small minded people could have influenced the school board over the arts. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth and a dark cloud over the school board. Hopefully they(the school board) will attend, realize their error, and amend their thinking.
As noted thespian Spock was fond of saying "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one".
As noted thespian Spock was fond of saying "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one".
SoWal Expert
It does seem that sometimes when we are challenged, we rise above and create new and better ways of doing something. Everyone's performance last night was incredible. I go to every play the REP puts on, and this performance was right up there near the top. I'm impressed. Who knew that SoWal High School had so much acting and production talent? I didn't. WoW! The play itself, is a hilarious comedy, and I'm not sure that the people who protested the school for attempting to perform the play, know up from down. It was my understanding that those protesters thought that the play would convert Christians to something else. I think those protestors would be better off trying to get "Wife Swap" off of the TV. If Jesus, himself, had been in the audience, he would have been laughing, too. Some people need to lighten up. Shame on them. However, secretly, I am glad it was banned, because that will just draw more attention to these student/actors for taking a stand in a controversial situation. They grew because of the banning, and I was able to see the play in the intimate setting of the REP.
Great job to all who were part of this production! I'm not sure if they have any tickets remaining for the other shows, but if you up for seeing a funny play, turn off the TV and pick up the phone to reserve your tickets.
Great job to all who were part of this production! I'm not sure if they have any tickets remaining for the other shows, but if you up for seeing a funny play, turn off the TV and pick up the phone to reserve your tickets.
Beach Fanatic
Those students were FABULOUS!!!! Congratulations to them and Kevin for making it happen. I was very proud. 
SoWal Expert
However, secretly, I am glad it was banned, because that will just draw more attention to these student/actors for taking a stand in a controversial situation. They grew because of the banning, and I was able to see the play in the intimate setting of the REP.
I wouldn't have seen it if they performed it at the high school. Thanks to those twits getting it banned the show got a larger audience! :rofl:
Beach Fanatic
Those students were acting like they were born for the theater. The chemistry between the actors was incredible and I am sure the direction had quite a lot to do with it. Kudos to Kevin Boyle for an outstanding production. The play was hilarious and as I sat there my mind tried to imagine what it was like being at theater in the early 1940's in war torn London during the blitzkrieg. The play certainly helped take the strain of war off the minds of Londoners, at least for a few hours, during those perilous times. Things always happen for a reason......I am glad for the close-mindedness of the school board because it opened the door of opty for a great play to be performed by young, enthusiastic, and talented actors at the REP. It was a memorable evening of theater enjoyed by all. Thanks to everyone for a great evening !!
Beach Fanatic
I'm not sure that the people who protested the school for attempting to perform the play, know up from down
Sadly this is the case with many things, that people are against something out of fear based on ignorance, instead of intelligence based on fact.
Kudos to all that allowed this production to go on. I only wish I could have been there to see it.
Edited
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