"Blithe Spirit"
February 2010
THE MINSTREL PLAYERS ANNOUNCE THEIR SPRING 2010 PRODUCTION!
The Minstrel Players Theatre Company of Northport Village begin their 2010 Season with a Spring production of Noel Coward's classic comedy, "Blithe Spirit". They are coming off their critically acclaimed Fall staging of the Sherlock Holmes mystery, "The Hound Of the Baskervilles". Performances will be over two weekends only on Saturday, April 17th and 24th at 8 P.M. and Sunday, 3 P.M. matinee performances on April 18th and 25th at Houghton Hall - Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main Street in scenic Northport Village.
The production of this theatre classic marks the directorial debut of Evan Donnellan and the cast contains returning Minstrels: Stephanie Augustin, Roseann
Baldanza, Bill Donnellan, Eileen Der Aris, Karen Ottomano, Ray Palen and Tara Palen. Minstrel co-founder, Debbie Palen, is the Assistant Director and the rest of the crew is rounded out with
Rob Cashman - Technical Director, Edward Kyle III - Stage Manager,
assisted by Andrew Schild and Bernie Caprera - Lighting Director. "Blithe Spirit" is a classic of the British theatre and the recent Tony-winning Broadway revival starred Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett and Angela Lansbury. The comic farce is based in the upscale home of British author Charles Condomine and his wife, Ruth. When a dinner party that features visiting mystic, Madame Arcati, goes awry with a lively séance --- little does Charles know that the ghost of his ex-wife, Elvira, has been conjured up! What transpires is a comic farce of the highest caliber as Charles must learn to live with both of his wives --- the living and the dead!
The Minstrel Players are committed to bringing high quality, affordable theater to the Long Island Region. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for Seniors and Children under 12. For more information please call (631)732-2926 or visit the Minstrel Player's official website at www.minstrelplayers.org . Hope to see you at the show!
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March
2010
April 2010
Due to layout, the editors of the Courier omitted some of Cliff's original article. The following is the original text.
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A View from the Cliff by Cliff Kasden “Blithe Spirit” is Minstrel Players’ Spring Vehicle A satirical spin on psychic phenomena, “Blithe Spirit” is enjoying its latest revival by the Minstrel Players. There are just three performances remaining through Sunday April 18th at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport Village. The troupe is a family affair, whose members are all well known from their many projects on Queens stages. Ray Palen plays the lead with his impeccably facetious and petulant British accent. He dominates the role, appearing onstage almost the entire performance. He remains focused and funny throughout the evening. Tara Palen is as gifted as her brother. She has a great sense of comedic timing and plays the blithe spirit, well, blithely! Her British accent is a vehicle for the spirit’s rebellious streak as well. Indeed, her versatility is recognizable in all her projects. Karen Ottomano, their very talented mother, portrays Madame Arcati. As the medium, she takes her job as liaison to the spirit world quite seriously. The result is very, very funny. Meanwhile, Ray’s better half Debbie Palen wears many hats for the troupe. She is co-executive producer, assistant director, house manager, co-publicist, treasurer and overall rock of Gibraltar. Director Evan Donnellan is also part of a family affair. His father Bill portrays Dr. Bradman in the comedy. His long suffering stage wife is played by Roseann Baldanza. Ray’s second wife onstage is ably portrayed by Eileen Der Aris. She is doomed from the start to a future that is beyond her earthly control. The family’s maid Edith is played by Stephanie Augustin, who runs a gauntlet through both worlds. Every project by the Minstrel Players is clever, creative and charming. Catch this show and their summer comedy/mystery entitled “Whodunnit.” Call (631) 732-2926 or click on www.minstrelplayers.org. As always, save me a seat on the aisle. |