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originally published: 05/12/2023 

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform the comedy classic “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge. Performances run across two weekends (June 2-4 and June 9-11). In the play, novelist Charles Condomine is conducting research for his latest novel about a medium. As research, he and his wife Ruth invite local medium Madame Arcati to dinner, along with their friends the Bradmans. Charles is hoping to find a fraud. But perhaps Madame Arcati actually conjures up more than he expected.​

The production is directed by Julie Anne Nolan of Morristown. The cast includes (in order of appearance): Lisa Black of Westfield as Edith, Ruth Kliwinski of Bloomfield as Ruth, Jeff Seesselberg of Ewing as Charles, Greg Northam of Garfield as Dr. Bradman, Ruth Scott of Summit as Mrs. Bradman, Stacey Petricha of Stirling as Madame Arcati, and Juliet Hommes of Branchburg as Elvira.

“Blithe Spirit” will open on Friday, June 2, at 7:30pm, with additional performances on June 3 at 7:30pm, June 4 at 4:00pm, June 9 and 10 at 7:30pm, and June 11 at 4:00pm. Tickets are $25 general admission, $23 for seniors (65 and over) and students, $20 for Farmstead Arts members, and $15 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online at https://farmsteadartscenter.org or at the door (cash only). The Farmstead Arts Center is located at 450 King George Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

The English Barn Theater is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services please send an e-mail in advance to farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com. The barn is neither heated nor air conditioned; please dress accordingly.

“Blithe Spirit” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

 

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“Blithe Spirit” opens The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s eighth season at the Farmstead Arts Center. Last year’s production of “Cobb” received the 2022 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Stage Management of a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play and Outstanding Sound Design of a Play. Past productions include “Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies,” “The Importance of Being Earnest” (which received the 2019 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Play and was nominated in six other categories, including Outstanding Production of a Play), “Treasure Island,” “Othello,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Of Mice and Men,” “And Then There Were None,” “The Dresser,” “The Tempest,” “Frankenstein’s Fate,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” A dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, the group is committed to presenting innovative theater for diverse audiences, through readings and full productions of classical theater and new works, as well as exploring the American experience through compelling productions that illuminate and celebrate our history, culture, and literature. The theater group fosters the next generation of theater artists and audiences by providing unique hands-on educational programming and training in all aspects of theater production.

This event has been made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.  

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