By AJ Jaffari

What happens when your late wife comes back from the dead—and refuses to leave? That’s the supernatural predicament at the heart of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, a witty 1941 comedy that has bewitched audiences for decades. The story follows Charles Condomine, a novelist who invites a local medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct a séance as research for his next book. To his surprise—and horror—the ritual summons the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, who is all too eager to disrupt his marriage to his current wife, Ruth. What follows is a battle of wits and wills that blends Coward’s razor-sharp dialogue with an irresistible dose of otherworldly chaos.

At Coastal Rep, this comedy of manners and the macabre is given new life with a production that leans into both the sophistication and the silliness. With spectral visitations, marital squabbles, and the unforgettable eccentricity of Madame Arcati, the play unfolds as a sparkling clash between the living and the departed. The result is a delightfully spirited evening that proves why Blithe Spirit remains one of Coward’s most enduring works: a clever cocktail of wit, charm, and ghostly mischief.

I have to say, this was my first time seeing Blithe Spirit, though I’d long heard of its whimsy and wit. I wasn’t disappointed. Its charm still holds up, and it’s a play I would gladly see again. With its ghostly humor and lighthearted mischief, it makes for the perfect spooky outing to kick off the fall season.

The cast was nothing short of fantastic, and I found something to enjoy in each performance. Emery Mulligan (Charles Condomine) embodied the old-fashioned, somewhat pompous husband perfectly—nailing a posh accent and leaving just the right space for both scowls and laughs. Amy Stringer (Ruth Condomine) brought poise and simmering anguish to the role of the dutiful wife, grounding the chaos with sharp contrast. But the star of the night for me was Lisa Burton Guevara as Madame Arcati. With her impeccable comedic timing and fearless embrace of the character’s eccentricities, she left it all on the stage in the best way possible. There’s a vulnerability in leaning fully into quirkiness, and Lisa managed it with such boldness that it was impossible not to admire—both for me and, judging by the laughter and applause, for the audience around me as well.

Coastal Rep has a charm all its own, and I always enjoy my time there (even without my usual theater partner-in-crime, Sarah ☹️). For this production, special praise must go not only to set designer and builder Doug McCurdy, but also to the dedicated crew of volunteers who brought the set to life. With at least five names credited in the program, it was clearly a community effort—and the result was a set I’d easily call TV-ready.

There’s still time to catch Blithe Spirit at Coastal Rep. Head over to their website to secure tickets and take a peek at the rest of their season—it looks like another one you won’t want to miss.

Blithe Spirit runs through September 28 and tickets are available here.