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Sat. June 5 & Sun. June 6 To wind up their latest season, the Lyric Stage has conjured up a star-studded and completely enchanting version of the Noel Coward classic “Blithe Spirit.” Featuring the dynamic dramatic duo of real-life partners Richard Snee and Paula Plum as two-thirds of the ethereal love triangle at the heart of this heart-touching play, “Spirit” also offers the otherworldly talents of Anne Gottlieb, Kathy St. George, Arthur Waldstein and Sarah deLima, and a speedy scene-changing (and often scene-stealing) Lyric debut from Anna Waldron. As the undying second wife, Gottlieb floats from domineering to decorus as she tries to get close to and then away from her harried husband (the ever-dapper and dutiful and at times a bit devilish Snee). When the gauzily glamorous ghost of his passed-on but not passed-over first wife (Plum) enters the prim and proper drawing room that makes up Brynna Bloomfield’s set (which takes on flavors of Disney’s Haunted Mansion towards play’s end, but not to spoil anything…), it takes the questionable contributions of St. George’s Madame Arcati – a shuffling volcano in silk pantaloons – to see what she can do to bring peace back to the piecing-apart house. As Plum wafts about the stage, Gottlieb and Snee speak in such a way that none of them can be sure who is being addressed, thereby adding to the clever confusion of Coward’s copy. Though at times distracting, Scott Clyve’s lighting offers visual clues to the nature and tone of the play, suggesting peachy days and eerie nights as colored lights emerge from behind the curtains and out of the fireplace. Part séance, part soap opera, all smart and savvy, Coward’s classic “Spirit” permeates every bit of this well-crafted production is a vase-smashing good time that will surely haunt its audiences (yes, in a good way) for some time to come. (Contributed by Matt Robinson. Ed note: Waldstein was once this writer’s mother’s camp counselor.) It's up through Sun through June 6. Wed.-Fri. shows at 7:30. Saturday and Sunday at 3 and 8. Tickets: $50-$25. 140 Clarendon St.,617-585-5678 www.lyricstage.com |
