Intimate theater suits quick-witted 'Blithe Spirit'

The Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles is an intimate venue with room for only 80 people.

This makes it an interesting prospect for actors, according to Terry Domschke of Elgin, director for "Blithe Spirit," a romantic comedy by Noel Coward opening this weekend.

"You see the audience response right away," he said. "There's no hiding it."

Donna Steele, artistic director and actor at the Steel Beam, agrees.

"You feel like the audience is right there with you. It's very easy to communicate with the audience when you're not so far away, no microphones or anything like that to get in the way."

"There are some limitations, putting on a show in such a small place," she said. "This show calls for some special effects which we have to do in our way.

"We'd call it an artistic challenge rather than a limitation. You have to be creative in how we handle some of the scenes."

"Blithe Spirit" is a comedy that has endured on stage and screen since its inception in 1941. The plot concerns an author, Charles, played by R. Aaron Thomann of Elburn who seeks to debunk the supernatural and those who make a living guiding patrons through that realm.

He throws a party with a medium, Madame Arcati, - played Donna Steele - in attendance along with his wife, Ruth, played by Katherine Bettinghaus of Geneva, and some friends.

Charles finds his life turned upside down when the medium accidentally brings forth his deceased first wife, Elvira, played by Jocelyn Mills of Wheaton.

"They start out the evening making fun of the medium." Domschke said. "Then things go bizarre and she goes into a trance and she loses consciousness which starts a conflict between the live people and the dead, especially the late wife and the present wife."

Domschke describes the play, which has been most recently produced on Broadway with veteran actress Angela Lansbury as Madame Arcati, as clever.

"It's that wonderful quick British wit," he explained. "The quick pace and the one-upmanship that is so evident in British comedies."

"Noel Coward's language is probably the most challenging thing about it," Steele commented. "People are very - as the British are - verbose and flowery. The memorization is difficult because it's so wordy."

"It's good comedy," Steele said. "I know Terry has an affinity for this kind of work and our audience should really enjoy it."

"I also think its reminiscent of the period of theater that portrayed England in the '30s (during World War II)," Domschke added. "It kept things going during the war. Noel Coward, with all of his songs and plays, kept the British fighting."

The show doesn't deal with the war so much as it highlights British resiliency and wit, according to Domschke. "It's urbane and sophisticated," he said

Steele appears in one production per year at the Steel Beam and is on the board that chooses the play, so, among other factors, she looks for an interesting role for herself.

Although the majority of roles are offered in open auditions, this year Steele pre-cast the actor who will portray Charles.

"Aaron and I have directed each other but never acted together. This play gives us the chance to do that."

Domschke enjoys collaborating with Steele as they have many times before.

"It's such a fun role," said Domschke. "It's bizarre and exotic. Donna likes to do challenges every year and this is her challenge this year."

"I've played lots of wives, not many mediums," Steele said. "It's fun doing something colorful."

If you goWhat: "Blithe Spirit," a comedy by Noel CowardWhen: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays; April 9 through May 2.Where: The Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main Street, St. CharlesTickets: $25; $23 for seniors and students Info: steelbeamtheatre.com or (630) 587-8521Cast of 'Blithe Spirit'Algonquin: Thom ReedBatavia: Nancy KoltonChicago: Donna SteeleElburn: R. Aaron ThomannElgin: Meredith KochGeneva: Katherine BettinghausWheaton: Jocelyn MillsFalse20001328Jocelyn Mills, Aaron Thomann and Katherine Bettinghaus find themselves in a bizarre love triangle in "Blithe Spirit" at the Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles.John Starks | Staff PhotographerFalse