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'High Spirits': A Spooky, Jazzy Broadway Revival
5 Feb
Summary
- Musical 'High Spirits' revives Noël Coward's 'Blithe Spirit'.
- Madame Arcati's character is expanded with new songs and scenes.
- The Encores! production features notable Broadway stars.
The musical "High Spirits," a rarely revived 1964 production based on Noël Coward's 1941 play "Blithe Spirit," has been staged in a semi-concert form at New York City Center. The show features a book by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray, who expanded Coward's original work.
This adaptation notably enhances the character of Madame Arcati, the medium, with new musical numbers such as "The Bicycle Song" and "Go Into Your Trance." These songs, part of a jazzy score, bring a 1960s Broadway sensibility that contrasts with Coward's dry wit. The production highlights standout performances from Andrea Martin as Madame Arcati and Katrina Lenk as the alluring spirit Elvira.
Directed with an adaptation by Billy Rosenfield, the cast also includes Steven Pasquale and Phillipa Soo as the couple whose marriage is disrupted by Elvira's ghost. Campbell Scott appears as Dr. Bradman and also portrays Noël Coward, reading stage directions. The limited engagement production is recognized for its star-studded cast.
