Be careful what you wish for — you may just get it.
Just ask Charles Condomine, who romanticizes his first wife, and ends up with trouble in an ethereal form in “Blithe Spirit.”
This Piedmont Players production of Noel Coward’s witty comedy introduces Paul Pickthorne to the stage as Charles, the soon-to-be-beleaguered husband.
Pickthorne is British, as was the late Coward, and lends an air of authenticity to the play. As a first-timer, he does remarkably well in a play with many, many lines and almost constant time on stage.
Coward is a master of language, a wit with words, so the troupe must be able to reproduce those words well for the play to work.
This is not your typical summer farce, but more of a head game as Charles and his wives try to find some solution to their problem.
Charles, a novelist, is now married to Ruth, played with aplomb by Monika Lambert, a Piedmont veteran.
To research his new book, he invites a local medium, Madame Arcati, the amusing Beckie Sipprell, to dinner with his stuffy friends, the Bradmans.
Shawn Van Wallendael is Dr. Bradman and Pickthorne’s new wife, Lee Piper Pickthorne, plays Mrs. Bradman.
Much to Charles’ surprise, the medium calls forth his late wife, Elvira, a beautiful, irresponsible young woman, who has been on the waiting list for a return visit from the afterlife.
Michelle Kosinski, known as a reporter for WSOC-TV, flirts and flits about the stage in her ghostly gown, charming Charles and driving him crazy at the same time.
And poor Ruth.
She at first does not believe Charles, leading to a hilarious scene in which Charles answers Elvira’s caustic comments, only to have Ruth think he’s calling her a guttersnipe and telling her to shut up.
Lambert’s Ruth is at once sympathetic and shrill, a good combination for the role. She never veers too far to the shrill side, keeping the character funny and entertaining.
Paul Pickthorne holds his own with both women, playing the husband enthralled by Elvira and exasperated by Ruth.
Kosinski obviously has fun with the mischievous, spoiled Elvira, a delicious part for any actress.
And Sipprell’s Madame Arcati is just eccentric enough. With an unidentifiable accent and gypsy-like clothing, she hums and chants and drops into trances with glee.
A special treat is Michelle Newman and the over-eager maid, Edith. Her brief appearances on stage will almost always elicit laughter.
Lee Pickthorne and Van Wallendael are straight foils for the comic Condomines.
Director Reid Leonard’s set earned applause on opening night, depicting an airy room in a well-appointed home. Clever effects make the finale a success.
The play runs just over two hours, with one intermission. Coward’s writing contains literary jokes, witticisms and double entendres that may not bring guffaws, but are certainly enjoyable.
It’s just fun to watch Charles deal with his wives and the consequences of their co-existence. Pay attention and you won’t be too surprised at the action near the end of the play.
Elvira, after all, enjoys playing chess with Genghis Khan on the other side.
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“Blithe Spirit,” underwritten by Diversified Graphics, continues tonight and Saturday and Aug. 1-4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Meroney Theater. For tickets, call 704-633-5471.
Contact Deirdre Parker Smith at 704-797-4252 or dp1@salisburypost.com
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