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Blithe Spirit Noel Coward's 1 Blithe · Spirit Featuring: Ashes by Lynette Amano Reunion by Bessie Toishigawa Inouye Oranges Are Lucky by Darrell H. Y . Lum All Brand New Classical Chinese Theater by Arthur Aw In the Alley by Edward Sakamoto Paradise Tours by Robert Morris The Travels of Heikiki by Charles R. Kates Twelf Nite 0 Wateva! by James Grant Benton an . """b\t.ed un'n''' ~east September 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 October 1, 2, 1983 ~ot ] the · Kennedy Theatre eat University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii The University Theatre Director's Notes presents Noel Pierce Coward (1899-1973) was a legend in his own lifetime. His song and playwriting began in 1918 just a few years after an extremely precocious adolescence. As a child actor his career was energetically promoted by a 'stage mother' every bit as determined as the matriarch portrayed ] by Ethel Merman in GYPSY. Processing from the Imperial Blithe Spirit Twilight of Victorian Empire through the last opulence of Edwardian profligacy Coward found himself as a very young by Noel Coward ) man scrambling for fame and fortune. During the era, now labelled as the Great Depression or The Jazz Age, Coward's Directed by Terence Knapp hedonistic companions included Talullah Bankhead, the Scene design by Richard G. Mason Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson, the Mountbattens, and Costume design by Sandra Finney Alexander Woolcott. Lighting design by Noa Kristi It is difficult for the audiences of today to realise that in his early career Coward was regarded with angry spleen and vituperation. THE VORTEX (1924) and FALLEN ANGELS (1925) were regarded by middle-class reviewers of the time as thoroughly indecent and immoral because of the author's Characters (in order of appearance): lighthearted examination of such topics as drugs, drink and Edith .. .. .., ......... .. ....... Diane Hutter debauchery. During the first decade of his notoriety, Coward Ruth . Kathryn Howard was once photographed in bed wearing exotic Chinese pyjamas making far flung telephone calls over an exquisite Charles ... .. ........... .. Christopher Goad breakfast tray. This image was impressed on the public mind Dr. Bradman ..... ...... ... Keven Williamson through worldwide newspaper and magazine coverage. He Mrs. Bradman .... ..... .. ·. .. ... .. Lynn Sager also created HAY FEVER (1929) the first of his brilliant light Madame Arcati . Pamela Viera comedies and BITTER SWEET (1929) an operetta which Elvira . Didi Leong contained some of his sweet and sour songs such as " I'll See You Again", and "Someday I'll Find You ". DESIGN FOR A LIVING (1933) , written for the Lunts, titillatingly suggested a romantic menage a trois enough to shock the socks off The action of the play passes in the living room of the Broadway audiences with Coward himself making the third Condomine house in the country. to Alfred and Lynn. In 1931 , however, he wrote, composed, and stunningly Scene 1: Before dinner on a summer evening directed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, CAVALCADE. Scene 2: After dinner The play is an unashamedly jingoistic and sentimental Scene 3: The next morning overview of British life from the Boer War onwards which Scene 4: Late the following afternoon greatly pleased the man in the street and King George V. As Scene 5: Early evening, a few days later his plays were staged and filmed during the next decade, Scene 6: After dinner, a few days later Coward became a household name throughout the English Scene 7: Several hours later speaking world. For himself and Gertrude Lawrence he wrote and performed PRIVATE LIVES (1930) with simultaneous smash hit productions in Berlin (INTIMACIES) and Paris (LES ) AMANTS TERRIBLES) . Songs such as "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" and "Stately Homes of England" swept around the world as Beatlemania would 30 years after and with J PRESENT LAUGHTER (1939) , THIS HAPPY BREED (1939) , and the films of IN WHICH WE SERVE (1942) and BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945) the name and fame of Noel Coward continued a fabulous upsurge. There will be one intermission. BLITHE SPIRIT (1941) was produced at the height of Bl itz on Britain and first night audiences literally made their Notice: Smoking is not allowed in the auditorium, nor may way to the theatre around the bomb craters of the previous photographs or recordings be made during the performance. night. The play made a star of Margaret Ru therford as 8 9 Madame Arcati and ran in London for almost 2000 performances, a record run exceeded only by 3 other productions in the history of the English stage. He wrote the play during a small visit to a small Welsh seaside town. Joyce Carey who was with him on the trip reveals that he talked out the spine of the play, named the characters, and then proceeded to write the dialogue without changes in exacty si x days. Clifton Webb and Mildred Natwick were among the stars who opened in the New York production at the Moresco Theatre that same year. From the 1950s on, apart ~~~~• from superb revivals, Coward's fortunes took a somewhat TRAVEL SERVICE downward turn until he created a one man cabaret act for himself which took London, New York, and most See us for all your travel needs. remarkably, Las Vegas, by storm. He performed some cameo roles in films and resided in the Caribbean and later 1021 North King St . Honolulu, HI 96817 Ph . 841-0484 in Switzerland where his house was constantly visited by a plethora of celebrities. He was feted by the Theatrical Profession in 1969 on his 70th birthday at Drury Lane when a choice selection of his work was presented by a dazzling cast of international KATHY MULLER MODELING & TALENT AGENCY performers. He was knighted in 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II. *********** A short while before he died he commented on his career presents and life as follows. Center Stage Ma le Modeling Cla sses "Sum it up? Well , now comes the terrible decision as to with Spec ial Guest Instructor whether to be corny or not. The answer is one word . Love. To RAY SASAKI, JR. know that you are among people whom you love, and who love you . That has made all the successes wonderful- much * The Govenor's Fash ion Director/Coordinator for " Hawa ii 83" more wonderful than they'd have been anyway, and I don 't * International Winner of the "World Award" by the think there's anything more to be said after that. That's it." California Fest ival of Fashion For further reading see A TALENT TO AMUSE (Heinemann, * President Hawaii Fash ion & Produ cts Association 1974) by Sheridan Morley, former graduate student of the University of Hawaii Department of Drama and Theatre. * President ADR Productions, Inc. * International Fashion Director for Malih ini Hawaii, Inc. T.K. Cl asses for Male Ramp, Salon, Photo modeling; self-awareness and confidence, interview preparation; Grooming and dressing, Coming up next at Kennedy Theatre Body line and Pacing techniqu es. Call the Kathy Muller Agency for more information ***********737-7917 Costumes Unlimited has the COME In largest selection in town. Masks. make-up, hats. accessories and thousands October 21-22, 26-30 EARLY FOR of costumes for rent, ev erything from Kamehameha to E. Tt Music by Harvey Schmidt The favorites go first, so come HALLOWEEn in early and Book and lyrics by Tom Jones reserv e Directed by Roger Long yours with COSTUMES a deposit. The longest-running musical comedy in American history is a delightful love story filled with romanticism, bright Cvstumes comedy, and gentle wisdom. Unlimited Inc. Tickets go on sale October 11 . For details call 948-7655. 150 N. King St. Chinatown Across from Oahu Market 526-1460 or 537-4468 10 11 Blithe Spirit Production Crews Stage manager: Dawn Oshima Assistant to the director: Ruth Yamamoto Light board operator: Randall Matsuno Sound board operator: Susi Ward Properties: Tom Giza, Newton Koshi, John Cimics Set construction: Cindy Carter, John Cimics, Tom Giza, Noa Kristi, Randall Matsuno, Dawn Oshima, Paul Palmore, Leslie Siegel, Susi Ward and students of Drama 101 and 240 Costume construction: Nancy Huffaker (crew head); JanDee Abraham, Starla Gallant, Pat Moey, James Young and students of Drama 101 and 256 Wardrobe: JanDee Abraham (crew head) ; Melissa Dahlke, Ellarose Perez, Suzie Shimizu, Grace Takahashi Makeup and wigs: Newton Koshi Program: Joel Light, Billie Ikeda (University Relations) Acknowledgements: 1983-84 University Theatre Season Announcement Brochure by Michael Tamaru and Billie I ked a of University Relations Office, 1983-84 University Theatre Billboards by Leonard Moses, Jr. University Theatre Production Staff Director of Theatre . ....... ...... ...... Glenn Cannon Director of Dance .. .. .... .... ... ..... Phyllis Haskell Student Assistant ..... ....... ...... Shari Weave r Director of Children's Theatre .. ........... Tamara Hunt Student Assistant . ... ..... ... ... .. Cynthia See Director of Asian Theatre ............... James Brandon Research Assistant ...... ...... .... Therese Moore Set Designer . ... .. .... .. .......... ... .. Richard Mason Costume Designer ....... ..... ..... .... Sandra Finney Technical Director ..... .. .. ..... ....... Mark Boyd Theatre Technician ................ Arthur Caldeira Graduate Assistants ........ John Cimics, Noa Kristi, Dawn Oshima, Paul Palmore Student Assistants ....... Cindy Carter, Tom Giza, Randall Matsuno, Susi Ward Video Coordinator ... .. ... ... .... .. Michiko Ueno Costume Shop Manager ................. Sandra Finney Graduate Assistant .... ............ Nancy Huffaker Student Assistants . JanDee Abraham, Starla Gallant, Pat Moey, Susi Ward Theatre Manager ..........
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