Inspired performances and crisp direction make for a wickedly clever and slyly funny evening of theater at Lehigh University Department of Theatre’s production of "Blithe Spirit".
The Noël Coward comedy, on stage at Lehigh University’s Diamond Theater through Feb. 29, follows what happens when an English novelist who invites a wacky medium to perform a séance for him and friends in hopes of learning some tricks for a character in his next book. At first he is bemusedly skeptical, until his life is turned upside down by the unexpected appearance of the apparition of his deceased first wife, Elvira.
Sam Alper is coolly humorous as the writer Charles who must juggle two jealous wives — one dead and one alive. Alper skillfully carries on conversations with his dead wife, whom only he can hear, while reacting to the outrage of his present wife, who thinks he is talking to her. His Charles is disdainful and self-absorbed, and just a little too callous about the death of his first wife.
Arianna Pinerio is aloof and caustic as Ruth, the living wife whose affections for her husband seem a bit too detached. She is extremely self-possessed, until she realizes what is going on and her self-preservation kicks in making her run the gamut from confusion to anger to tears. 
Aimee Tepidity makes the spirit of Elvira mischievous, and exasperating as well as smugly amused at the unexpected situation she has found herself in, as she gayly flits about the house, creating havoc.
McKenna Webb energizes the stage as the mysterious medium Madame Arcati, who is the one who has accidentally released the spirit of Elvira. Her psychic is hilariously eccentric and over-the-top funny from sniffing for ectoplasm to going into a trance in which she ends up sprawled across the lap of one of Charles and Ruth’s dinner guests.
Leo Danzig makes Dr. Bradman unemotional and annoyingly sensible with a touch of bemused condensation about the whole idea of a séance.
Racel Gingrich’s Violet Bradmanon is vapid and shallow, as well as entitled, as the doctor’s wife.
Edith, the new household maid, played by Ivery Marquez, is frenetic and overeager, and turns out to be surprisingly essential to the plot
Director Augustina Ripa makes sure the physical comedy as well as the verbal jabs keeps moving briskly throughout the quickly paced comedy.
The set design by Melpomene Katakalos effectively creates a well appointed upper crust living room that is attractive but feels as chilly as the winds that blows in from open door to the terrace. Red-lit chandeliers add an eerie note.
Kudos to props designer Rebecca Bone for spooky special effects from clever portraits and flying furniture that add just the right touch to the startling, but wryly satisfying ending.
“Blithe Spirit,” is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26-29 in the Diamond Theater, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, 420 E Packer Ave, Bethlehem.
Tickets are $12 per person with pay-what-you-will on Feb. 26.
For information, call 610-758-2787, ext. 0, or go to zoellnerartscenter.org.