[NEohioPAL]Read the review... then come see "High Spirits" at ACT - 2 weekends left

Thu May 10 06:50:10 PDT 2007

------=_Part_63601_28823329.1178805010620
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline

 ACT's High Spirits' full of high comedy, talent

by Wendy DiAlessandro

Ladies and gentlemen, friends of all ages: if you're looking for the perfec=
t
night out, reserve seats now at Aurora Community Theatre, where "High
Spirits" is playing.

After all, who doesn't love a musical, and who hasn't wondered, even once,
if the traffic between here and the hereafter might flow both ways? Isn't
that what Ouija boards are for?

In "High Spirits," novelist Charles Condomine (Rick Carter) isn't intereste=
d
in any of that. The real reason he's invited Madame Arcati (Hester Lewellen=
)
to lead a s=E9ance is to gain material for his latest book.

Ahh, but strange things may happen when the world of here meddles with the
world of there. It turns out that Condomine's deceased first wife, Elvira
(Monique MacGregor), has spent her time in the heavenly hereafter plotting
her return to dear hubby's side.

The s=E9ance is her ticket, but neither Condomine nor his second wife Ruth
(Dawn Sniadak) are pleased with their new houseguest.

Carter's interpretation of Condimine as a mild-mannered, comfortably
dominated husband makes one wonder what one intense woman, let alone two,
would see in him.

As Condomine, Carter is required to be funny, agile, sensitive, befuddled,
and bemused. He does it all flawlessly, and sings fine duets, too.

Hester Lewellen's Madame Arcati literally rolls on stage for her initial
entrance. Yes, on a bicycle. Lewellen is endlessly flamboyant, eternally
unpredictable, and always lovable.

She is completely over the top, and couldn't be imagined any other way. If
it is possible to connect with the next world, Lewellen has no trouble
making audiences believe her Arcati could do it.

MacGregor plays wife No. 1 with pure deviousness. She is naturally ethereal=
,
elfish, and able to tug on heartstrings at will.

Her solo "Home Sweet Heaven" would bring any house down, even a house that
knows she cannot be trusted. MacGregor doesn't try to play a spirit; she is
one.

As wife No. 2, Dawn Sniadak delivers a fine performance. She's childish and
petulant, loving and unreasonable, insecure and poised.

High-spirited herself, she wonders whatever happened to the man she married
in one tune, then joins Elvira in asking dear hubby "What in the World Did
You Want?"

A bit stiff at first, Sniadak seems to grow into her role until she is
completely at ease. Perhaps the stiffness is intentional: after all, what
would such a wife do with such a husband?

S=E9ance guests Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (John Marchese and Phyllis Grumney) ar=
e
game for the s=E9ance, but are blissfully unaware of the chaos that follows=
.

Or of the real reasons housemaid Edith (Linda Balwinski) tumbles down the
stairs and Mr. Condomine takes a header off the balcony.

Marchese's Dr. Bradman is putty in Madame Arcati's hands, leaving the
audience in stitches. The good man is kind and compassionate, exactly like =
a
family doctor should be.

Marchese doesn't let his character scoff at the s=E9ance; rather, he lets h=
im
be genuinely interested. His stage-mates clearly like him, and so does the
audience.

Grumney portrays the doctor's wife with the utter grace that defines the
word "lady." She must be so in real life, for her performance is instantly
believable.

She is neither forced nor forceful. Every movement, every gesture, every
quiet smile convinces the audience that here, indeed, is a lovely woman.
Well done, Ms.Grumney.

Balwinski's portrayal of the Condomines' housemaid, Edith, is nothing short
of inspired. She trots quickly to and fro, absolutely knows her place, and
definitely has her own sense of propriety.

Comedy is not easy to do well, even for veteran actors, so it is difficult
to believe that "High Spirits" is Balwinski's first stage venture. She is s=
o
clearly talented that we surely hope to see her in future ACT performances.

"High Spirits" is full of unexpected twists guaranteed to keep any audience
delighted. The show deserves support from area audiences, who may see it
Fridays and Saturdays until May 19.

Go ahead: call 330-562-1818 for reservations and ticket information.
*"High Spirits"* is the musical version of *"Blithe Spirit"* by Noel Coward=
.
The story takes place in an English country manor and revolves around
Charles and his second wife, Ruth.  At a seance in his home, the medium,
Madame Arcati (wonderfully played by ACT favorite *Hester Lewellen*),
somehow conjures up the first wife, Elvira... but only Charles can see her.
 Of course Elvira causes all sorts of problems.  It's a very clever
and funny show with a great cast, wonderful music, a beautiful set,
and family-friendly fun for all... another hit from Director *David
Vosburgh *and Producer *Marianne Paul.*

Call the Box Office at *330-562-1818* to order tickets - OR - try out our
new on-line ticketing at our website:*   www.auroracommunitytheatre.com*
.
Production dates:   Friday & Saturday at 8:00 pm from April 27 to May 19th

*Special Offer*: Call your friends, family, club or co-workers and get
together a group of 20 or more and ACT will provide discounted tickets AND
a FREE pre- or post-show party - complete with wine and cheese or coffee an=
d
desserts.

--=20
Ross H. Wason, Sr.
216-643-8122 Office
216-965-4547 Cell
WasonPC1 at gmail.com

------=_Part_63601_28823329.1178805010620
Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline

<div>
<h2>ACT's High Spirits' full of high comedy, talent </h2>
<div></div>
<div></div>
by Wendy DiAlessandro
Ladies and gentlemen, friends of all ages: if you're looking for the=
 perfect night out, reserve seats now at Aurora Community Theatre, where &q=
uot;High Spirits" is playing.
After all, who doesn't love a musical, and who hasn't wondered, =
even once, if the traffic between here and the hereafter might flow both wa=
ys? Isn't that what Ouija boards are for?
In "High Spirits," novelist Charles Condomine (Rick Carter) is=
n't interested in any of that. The real reason he's invited Madame =
Arcati (Hester Lewellen) to lead a s=E9ance is to gain material for his lat=
est book.=20

Ahh, but strange things may happen when the world of here meddles with t=
he world of there. It turns out that Condomine's deceased first wife, E=
lvira (Monique MacGregor), has spent her time in the heavenly hereafter plo=
tting her return to dear hubby's side.=20

The s=E9ance is her ticket, but neither Condomine nor his second wife Ru=
th (Dawn Sniadak) are pleased with their new houseguest.
Carter's interpretation of Condimine as a mild-mannered, comfortably=
 dominated husband makes one wonder what one intense woman, let alone two, =
would see in him. 
As Condomine, Carter is required to be funny, agile, sensitive, befuddle=
d, and bemused. He does it all flawlessly, and sings fine duets, too.
Hester Lewellen's Madame Arcati literally rolls on stage for her ini=
tial entrance. Yes, on a bicycle. Lewellen is endlessly flamboyant, eternal=
ly unpredictable, and always lovable.
She is completely over the top, and couldn't be imagined any other w=
ay. If it is possible to connect with the next world, Lewellen has no troub=
le making audiences believe her Arcati could do it.
MacGregor plays wife No. 1 with pure deviousness. She is naturally ether=
eal, elfish, and able to tug on heartstrings at will. 
Her solo "Home Sweet Heaven" would bring any house down, even =
a house that knows she cannot be trusted. MacGregor doesn't try to play=
 a spirit; she is one.
As wife No. 2, Dawn Sniadak delivers a fine performance. She's child=
ish and petulant, loving and unreasonable, insecure and poised. 
High-spirited herself, she wonders whatever happened to the man she marr=
ied in one tune, then joins Elvira in asking dear hubby "What in the W=
orld Did You Want?"
A bit stiff at first, Sniadak seems to grow into her role until she is c=
ompletely at ease. Perhaps the stiffness is intentional: after all, what wo=
uld such a wife do with such a husband?
S=E9ance guests Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (John Marchese and Phyllis Grumney)=
 are game for the s=E9ance, but are blissfully unaware of the chaos that fo=
llows. 
Or of the real reasons housemaid Edith (Linda Balwinski) tumbles down th=
e stairs and Mr. Condomine takes a header off the balcony.
Marchese's Dr. Bradman is putty in Madame Arcati's hands, leavin=
g the audience in stitches. The good man is kind and compassionate, exactly=
 like a family doctor should be. 
Marchese doesn't let his character scoff at the s=E9ance; rather, he=
 lets him be genuinely interested. His stage-mates clearly like him, and so=
 does the audience.
Grumney portrays the doctor's wife with the utter grace that defines=
 the word "lady." She must be so in real life, for her performanc=
e is instantly believable. 
She is neither forced nor forceful. Every movement, every gesture, every=
 quiet smile convinces the audience that here, indeed, is a lovely woman. W=
ell done, Ms.Grumney.
Balwinski's portrayal of the Condomines' housemaid, Edith, is no=
thing short of inspired. She trots quickly to and fro, absolutely knows her=
 place, and definitely has her own sense of propriety. 
Comedy is not easy to do well, even for veteran actors, so it is difficu=
lt to believe that "High Spirits" is Balwinski's first stage =
venture. She is so clearly talented that we surely hope to see her in futur=
e ACT performances.=20

"High Spirits" is full of unexpected twists guaranteed to keep=
 any audience delighted. The show deserves support from area audiences, who=
 may see it Fridays and Saturdays until May 19. 
Go ahead: call 330-562-1818 for reservations and ticket information.=
</div>
<div>"High Spirits"=
 is the musical version of "Blithe Spirit" by No=
el Coward. The story takes place in an English country manor and revolves a=
round Charles and his second wife, Ruth.  At a seance in his home, the=
 medium, Madame Arcati (wonderfully played by ACT favorite=20
Hester Lewellen), somehow conjures up the first wife, Elvi=
ra... but only Charles can see her.  Of course Elvira causes all sorts=
 of problems.  It's a very clever and funny show with a great=
 cast, wonderful music, a beautiful set, and family-friendly fun =
for all...=20
another hit from Director David =
Vosburgh and Producer Marianne Paul. &n=
bsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Call the Box Office at 330-562-18=
18 to order tickets - OR - try out our new on-line ticketing at ou=
r website:  <a onclick=3D"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,th=
is)" href=3D"http://www.auroracommunitytheatre.com/" target=3D"_blank">
 www.auroracommunitytheatre.com</a></spa=
n></div>
<div>. Production date=
s:   Friday &=
amp; Saturday at 8:00 pm from April 27 to May 19th  </sp=
an></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Special Offer: Call your=
 friends, family, club or co-workers and get together a group of 20 or=
 more and ACT will provide discounted tickets AND a FREE pre- or =
post-show party - complete with wine and cheese or coffee and desserts.&nbs=
p; =20
 -- Ross H. Wason, Sr. 216-643-812=
2 Office 216-965-4547 Cell <a onclick=3D"return top.js.OpenExtLink(wi=
ndow,event,this)" href=3D"mailto:WasonPC1 at gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">Waso=
nPC1 at gmail.com=20
</a></div>

------=_Part_63601_28823329.1178805010620--