Ghosts will take up residence at Kennedy Theatre in October

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Kevin C.K. Berg, (808) 956-2598
Director of Publicity, Department of Theatre and Dance
Posted: Sep 11, 2014

Laughter abounds in Kennedy Theatre’s production of “Blithe Spirit,” premiering October 3.
Laughter abounds in Kennedy Theatre’s production of “Blithe Spirit,” premiering October 3.

UHM's Department of Theatre and Dance presents the return of Noël Coward’s play, “Blithe Spirit,” directed by Paul T. Mitri, on the Mainstage at Kennedy Theatre. The last time this show was produced by Kennedy Theatre was in the 1983-84 season, directed by Terence Knapp.  Performances will take place October 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., and October 5 and 12 at 2 p.m.  Free pre-show chats will be held with the cast and director on two Saturdays, October 4 and 11, at 7 p.m.

In addition to serving UHM’s Department of Theatre and Dance as Chair and Professor, Mitri is also highly involved in the local theater scene as an actor, director and playwright. He is a multiple Po`okela Award recipient for acting and directing, serves on the board as Vice President for the Hawai`i State Theatre Council, and is the current Artistic Director of All the World's a Stage Theatre Company.

The story of "Blithe Spirit" follows Charles (played by Timothy Callais), a successful author who is planning a book about a “psychic” detective, and his second wife Ruth (Karissa J. Murrell Myers). In search of inspiration, he invites Madame Arcati (Sharon R. Garcia Doyle), an eccentric psychic, to perform a séance in their home. Chaos and hilarity soon ensue when the ghost of his first wife Elvira (Kyle Scholl) is summoned by mistake and only he can see her.

Mitri has many hopes for this production. He would like the audience to enjoy the wit and comedic banter, while subtly widening the breadth of theatrical experience available on campus. Most importantly, he hopes to showcase the remarkably high amount of talent involved with this production. “We have many MFA candidates from all over the country, most in their second or third years. I would hope that the community takes this chance to see them, at the start of their careers, before they head off to Broadway and beyond," he said.

All three of these MFA candidates have an extensive resume with UHM and beyond. Murrell Myers, a candidate in her final semester, has performed on the Mainstage as Laurie in “Oklahoma!” and Lydia in last year’s production of “Big Love.” Scholl is no stranger to Kennedy Theatre and has acted both on the Mainstage and in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre in “Uncle Vanya with Zombies” and “Wild Party,” respectively. Callais, a second year MFA candidate, recently won a Po`okela award for his performance in last year’s Mainstage show, “The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip.” And already training for the academic field, all three of these actors are currently teaching Acting at UHM.

Tickets for Blithe Spirit are available online at etickethawaii.com starting Monday, September 15, by phone at (808) 944-2697, at participating outlets, and at the Kennedy Theatre box office.  The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with extended hours on performance dates.  Prices are $25 regular; $22 for seniors / military / UH faculty and staff; $15 for students; and $8 for UHM students with a validated Fall 2014 UHM photo ID.  Ticket prices include all service fees. Special throwback ticket prices are in effect for “Throwback Saturday” on October 4, when ticket prices fall to $15 regular, $10 discount and $5 UHM students with ID.

For further information, please visit hawaii.edu/kennedy, or call the theater at (808) 956-7655.  For disability access, please call the theater.