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
SoWal Expert
The show comes to a close tonight. Get your tickets, NOW, if they haven't already sold out!
SoWal Expert
The show comes to a close tonight. Get your tickets, NOW, if they haven't already sold out!
Yippeeee! Pics!!! Thanks SJ--
Beach Comber
That head scarf is such a pain.
hmmmm......can't remember
Bravo, bravo, bravo--
I wish I lived here so that I could tell you how proud I am to be part of this community. Kevin quoted someone who said that true change arises from conflict; I was thoroughly impressed with the "blithe spirits" that were represented on stage. In the Q & A following the show, their focus was not on the conflict, but from the amazing opportunity that was offered to them by the Seaside Rep.
Spectacular show, spectacular spirit...thank you!
I wish I lived here so that I could tell you how proud I am to be part of this community. Kevin quoted someone who said that true change arises from conflict; I was thoroughly impressed with the "blithe spirits" that were represented on stage. In the Q & A following the show, their focus was not on the conflict, but from the amazing opportunity that was offered to them by the Seaside Rep.
Spectacular show, spectacular spirit...thank you!
Beach Crab
Blithe Spirit was sooooo much fun to do, its a pity thats it's all over. Kevin taught us all so much and he was a great director. I really will miss doing the play. 
Signing out,
Taylor Queen (Charles Condomine)
Signing out,
Taylor Queen (Charles Condomine)
Beach Fanatic
Congratulations to all -- not only for the play, but for handling the entire situation with such grace.
Our school leaders could learn something from you !
Our school leaders could learn something from you !
SoWal Expert
Blithe Spirit was sooooo much fun to do, its a pity thats it's all over. Kevin taught us all so much and he was a great director. I really will miss doing the play.
Signing out,
Taylor Queen (Charles Condomine)
Ah... a new generation of SoWallers.
You SoWal High students need to stick around! Especially since you are ALL so hilarious.I am so sad to see most of this Blithe Spirit group graduate this spring, and judging from the kids I have met so far at SWHS, I will be sad every year. We are lucky to have so many wonderful young adults here!
Skunky
It was probably the most enjoyable play I have ever seen at The Rep. It was fantastic-great job to everyone involved!
SoWal Insider
My theater mentor and friend reviewed the show Friday night. He had very, very positive things to say about the show, the actors and the direction they received. I think the kids will have a very good review to look forward to in this weeks paper from a guy who knows his stuff.
Bravo to Kevin and cast
Thanks for the students and adults alike who took this situation and turned it into something wonderful. To anyone who has ever faced adversity for the sake of art and self expression you are an inspiration
Bravo to Kevin and cast
Thanks for the students and adults alike who took this situation and turned it into something wonderful. To anyone who has ever faced adversity for the sake of art and self expression you are an inspiration
Edited
Beach Lover
Excellent presentation by students at South Walton High School. Well done and throughly enjoyable. Pleased to have attended the last night and to listen to the question and answer time with the students. On the program the maid was not listed, who is she and her background. The other presenters were highlighted.
SWGB
Wonderful show! The SWHS kids are way beyond a high school level in their acting abilities and stamina for that matter. Congratulations guys and keep up the good work. Hope to see you in future endeavors.
Beach Comber
Hi!
Never been on So-wal before, so let me know if i do something wrong or anything.
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came out and suported Blithe Spirit. It really means a lot to all of us, after everything we've gone through. I dont think we could thank any of you enough. It really was the experience of a life time.
Oh and to the poster who asked, I'm was the maid(Edith) my name is Bri Weintraub.
Thanks so much for everything!
Bei (Edith)
Never been on So-wal before, so let me know if i do something wrong or anything.
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came out and suported Blithe Spirit. It really means a lot to all of us, after everything we've gone through. I dont think we could thank any of you enough. It really was the experience of a life time.Oh and to the poster who asked, I'm was the maid(Edith) my name is Bri Weintraub.
Thanks so much for everything!
Bei (Edith)
Edited
Beach Fanatic
This thread has made my day! A HUGE thanks to everyone who came to see our show and supported us every step of the way! 
This was an amazing opportunity for all of us. Performing this play meant SO much to everyone. It helped us to prove our love and dedication to theatre and showcase our talents, while taking a stand against those trying to hold us back.
I am eternally grateful to the Rep and to Kevin for everything they've done for us. Kevin is amazing, and we couldn't have done this without him. Not only was he our director, he was our mentor and our friend. He has taught us a great deal about theatre and life. Many of those lessons will stay with us forever.
The memories that we have made during this process are ones that will NEVER be forgotten. Thanks again to everyone who made this possible. I cannot express my appreciation enough.
KC Shaffer
(Ruth Condomine)
A HUGE thanks to everyone who came to see our show and supported us every step of the way! This was an amazing opportunity for all of us. Performing this play meant SO much to everyone. It helped us to prove our love and dedication to theatre and showcase our talents, while taking a stand against those trying to hold us back.
I am eternally grateful to the Rep and to Kevin for everything they've done for us. Kevin is amazing, and we couldn't have done this without him. Not only was he our director, he was our mentor and our friend. He has taught us a great deal about theatre and life. Many of those lessons will stay with us forever.
The memories that we have made during this process are ones that will NEVER be forgotten. Thanks again to everyone who made this possible. I cannot express my appreciation enough.
KC Shaffer
(Ruth Condomine)
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Great job to all involved! I caught the Friday night show, and loved every minute!
Beach Comber
Well, I managed to comb the crazy out of my hair and have scrubbed off the last remnants of the lip paint. I have no idea what to do with myself now.
I've never enjoyed any play, first rehearsal to closing night, as I've enjoyed this one. Now all that remains is striking the set, and I'm just beginning to realize how much I'll miss it. A huge thank-you to the Rep for the oppurtunity and to our fearless leader Kevin for being a smashing director. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the community's support. It's been a terrific, if not somewhat bumpy, ride.
Good Hunting,
Madame Arcati
Kendell McNay
I've never enjoyed any play, first rehearsal to closing night, as I've enjoyed this one. Now all that remains is striking the set, and I'm just beginning to realize how much I'll miss it. A huge thank-you to the Rep for the oppurtunity and to our fearless leader Kevin for being a smashing director. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the community's support. It's been a terrific, if not somewhat bumpy, ride.
Good Hunting,
Madame Arcati
Kendell McNay
SoWal Expert
Excellent presentation by students at South Walton High School. Well done and throughly enjoyable. Pleased to have attended the last night and to listen to the question and answer time with the students. On the program the maid was not listed, who is she and her background. The other presenters were highlighted.
Check your program again- she is listed- Bri Weintraub, who played Edith the maid AND was the co-lighting designer!
BTW- I love that y'all are posting on YOUR thread! Glad you saw it. Now do a search on this website using "Blithe Spirit"- it will keep you busy reading for daaaaayyyyysssss......;-)
SoWal Expert
Kudos on a great performance!
Beach Comber
saw the sat night show and was blown away by the talent, effort and enthusiasm of you young thespians. what a great performance and great production and you should all be proud of yourselves for taking such negativity and ignorance and so gracefully refusing to give up. refreshing and uplifting!
kevin and the rep - thanks to you all for enhancing our community with such a well run professional theater company - we are lucky to have it!
kevin and the rep - thanks to you all for enhancing our community with such a well run professional theater company - we are lucky to have it!
Beach Crab
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us in this play. I know a lot of my fellow cast members have already said this, but it really meant a lot to us. Also, thanks to Kevin and the REP for allowing us to perform on their stage. Like Bri said, it was an opportunity of a lifetime! I have to agree with Kendell when I say that this was the most fun I have had while rehearsing for and performing a play.
--Meredith Kelly (Elvira)
--Meredith Kelly (Elvira)
SoWal Expert
Wow- since last fall, Blithe Spirit has generated enough press to fill a BIG scrapbook.
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/12563
Also- the Beach Breeze has the BEST article yet- a fabulous review of the play. Pick up your copy of the paper this week! (ALeonard- is there a way to post the article?) The actors are going to flip when they read their awesome reviews!
And one last update- the Walton County School Board is working to change the challenged materials policy, which we learned about during the Blithe challenge. Thanks (once again) to Mark Davis- he is heading up the change to the current policy, and even e-mailed a copy of the proposed changed policy to several of us that have been asking for the "improvement". We are keeping a look-out for the public hearing on this change.
From The Walton Sun:
CHALLENGED MATERIAL TO STILL BE TAUGHT
The board discussed changing current rules to allow challenged material(s) to continue being taught while a decision from the district is being made on the item.
Davis said removing items from the classroom because of a challenge could affect the way a class is taught due to the timeliness of the review process.
?Why don?t we just strike it (policy)?? he said. ?What is wrong with keeping material in classroom until the board decides to remove it??
Board attorney Ben Holley agreed.
?It?s going to remain status quo until you remove it,? he said.
The current policy allows a child whose parent or guardian is challenging material, to be removed from the assignment or activity.
Last year, two books were challenged in the district, as well as the highly publicized play ?Blithe Spirit? at South Walton High School.
A finalized copy of the district challenged materials rules will be advertised for a public hearing.
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/12563
Also- the Beach Breeze has the BEST article yet- a fabulous review of the play. Pick up your copy of the paper this week! (ALeonard- is there a way to post the article?) The actors are going to flip when they read their awesome reviews!
And one last update- the Walton County School Board is working to change the challenged materials policy, which we learned about during the Blithe challenge. Thanks (once again) to Mark Davis- he is heading up the change to the current policy, and even e-mailed a copy of the proposed changed policy to several of us that have been asking for the "improvement". We are keeping a look-out for the public hearing on this change.
From The Walton Sun:
CHALLENGED MATERIAL TO STILL BE TAUGHT
The board discussed changing current rules to allow challenged material(s) to continue being taught while a decision from the district is being made on the item.
Davis said removing items from the classroom because of a challenge could affect the way a class is taught due to the timeliness of the review process.
?Why don?t we just strike it (policy)?? he said. ?What is wrong with keeping material in classroom until the board decides to remove it??
Board attorney Ben Holley agreed.
?It?s going to remain status quo until you remove it,? he said.
The current policy allows a child whose parent or guardian is challenging material, to be removed from the assignment or activity.
Last year, two books were challenged in the district, as well as the highly publicized play ?Blithe Spirit? at South Walton High School.
A finalized copy of the district challenged materials rules will be advertised for a public hearing.
SoWal Insider
Wow- since last fall, Blithe Spirit has generated enough press to fill a BIG scrapbook.
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/12563
Also- the Beach Breeze has the BEST article yet- a fabulous review of the play. Pick up your copy of the paper this week! (ALeonard- is there a way to post the article?) The actors are going to flip when they read their awesome reviews!
And one last update- the Walton County School Board is working to change the challenged materials policy, which we learned about during the Blithe challenge. Thanks (once again) to Mark Davis- he is heading up the change to the current policy, and even e-mailed a copy of the proposed changed policy to several of us that have been asking for the "improvement". We are keeping a look-out for the public hearing on this change.
From The Walton Sun:
CHALLENGED MATERIAL TO STILL BE TAUGHT
The board discussed changing current rules to allow challenged material(s) to continue being taught while a decision from the district is being made on the item.
Davis said removing items from the classroom because of a challenge could affect the way a class is taught due to the timeliness of the review process.
“Why don’t we just strike it (policy)?” he said. “What is wrong with keeping material in classroom until the board decides to remove it?”
Board attorney Ben Holley agreed.
“It’s going to remain status quo until you remove it,” he said.
The current policy allows a child whose parent or guardian is challenging material, to be removed from the assignment or activity.
Last year, two books were challenged in the district, as well as the highly publicized play “Blithe Spirit” at South Walton High School.
A finalized copy of the district challenged materials rules will be advertised for a public hearing.
I'll try and get a copy of the article posted by Monday. I don't believe Bruce is in until Monday and he will have to send me his final edit.
Edited
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