Steadstyle Chicago
	March 2008 Theatre Review by Joe Stead
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Blithe Spirit Critical Evaluation: ** out of **** Christine Stulik, Jack Hickey and Katherine Keberlein star in Oak Park Festival Theatre's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit".  Photos by Michael Rothman. Spirits are a little low in Oak Park these days, at least the theatrical spirits of one of Noel Coward's most eternally popular comedies.  The Oak Park Festival Theatre is currently giving Sir Noel's classic chestnut "Blithe Spirit" something of the old community theatre try, which means the whole is generally less satisfying than the sum of its parts.  Capturing the sophisticated and quirky tone of Coward's comedy of manners is a tall order, which Director David Minks' production doesn't quite deliver on.  The British accents are spotty and not nearly as deft or articulate as a good Coward comedy should be.  Coward's nearly 70-year-old fantasy is also pretty wordy and the words often get soaked up in the muddy acoustics.  The play centers on middle-aged novelist Charles Condomine, who in doing research for a book on the supernatural, has invited a medium for dinner and a seance.  Charles is convinced that Madame Arcati is a charlatan, but he'll become a believer when he ends up with two wives, the ghost of his first Elvira, called back from the other side, and his very much alive and confused second spouse Ruth.  The mischievous Elvira would dearly like for Charles to join her in a spiritual remarriage of sorts, but Ruth's presence poses a slight inconvenience to their reunion.  The plot was recycled in the early 1960's in a delightful but rarely revived musical known as "High Spirits," a perfect blend of Coward's high comedy with a delicious score.  Too bad Festival Theatre hadn't the musical chops to tackle that, as the spirits of the original straight play don't quite soar.  The production is pretty to look at, that is what one can see of it in the sightline challenged Historic Pleasant Home.  The old mansion has its quaint charms and impressive period ambiance that somewhat compensates for its theatrical limitations.  But when you're looking at the back of audience's heads more than the stage action, that's a serious liability.   What does work in the Oak Park effort is the ghostly specter of Condomine's first wife, as Katherine Keberlein makes one luscious ectoplasmic vamp as Elvira.  She has the aura of a 1930's movie starlet, her flowing silver cape and form hugging satin slip giving an airy elegance to this delightful free spirit, her blonde hair billowing around her shoulders as her eyes give a mischievous twinkle.  It is clear why Jack Hickey's gently befuddled novelist would be completely ehtralled by Ms. Keberlein's otherworldly charmer, even from beyond the grave. But this is supposed to be a love triangle, and therein lies the problem.  Christine Stulik's prim, prudish Ruth (the second, live wife) offers absolutely no threat to Elvira and barely registers any feeling or interest in Charles.  In the minor role of Mrs. Bradman, Kimberly Logan's sparkling expressions register more interest and stays more in the moment, making one wonder why she and Ms. Stulik don't swap roles.  Animated Connie Anderko twitters away like a possessed little songbird as the daffy medium Madame Arcati.  And Rebecca Cox and Brian Simmons complete the cast in minor roles.  Although "Blithe Spirit" is frequently revived by both professionals and amateurs alike, the play really shows its age here.  Somewhere beneath the stuffy pretenses and attitudes, there may be a genuinely funny romantic comedy.  But Festival's production is a hit and miss affair that feels less "Blithe" and more earthbound. "Blithe Spirit" continues through April 27, 2008 at Pleasant Home, 217 Home Avenue, on the corner of Pleasant and Home Avenues in downtown Oak Park.  Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m.  Tickets are $17 to $27.   Seating is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are available online at www.oakparkfestival.com, or call 708.445.4440 for reservations.  Box office at Pleasant Home opens one hour before curtain time.