Sharon Bierman (MFA '13) and Grace Adams (MFA '14) Nominated for Irene Ryan

Photo courtesy of the School of Communication & the Arts.

Congratulations to

Sharon Bierman (MFA '13)
and Grace Adams (MFA '14)

on their KCACTF Irene Ryan Award nominations for Madame Arcati and Elivira respectively in Regent University's 2012-2013 Season opener:

Blithe Spirit!

2012-13 Theatre Season Kicks Off With Celebrated Comedy

By Rachel Judy

Since it was written at the height of World War II, Blithe Spirit has enjoyed critical success on stage in London and New York. Its most recent Broadway revival starred actress Angela Lansbury, who won a Tony Award for her role. This successful comedy will hit the Regent University stage for a two-week run beginning Friday, Sept. 14.

Blithe Spirit follows the story of a happily married novelist who suddenly finds himself haunted—literally—by the ghost of his temperamental first wife. Infused with Coward's trademark humor and comedic insight, audiences will have a stage-side seat to the challenges and joys of a marriage tested by unpredictable circumstances.

"Audiences will probably find themselves frequently laughing through tears," observed Dr. Michael Hill-Kirkland, professor in the School of Communication & the Arts and the show's director. "Coward takes a good hard look at marriage—and what it means to be 'bound' to another individual.

"Perhaps the lesson we walk away with is, marriage can become a comedy of errors if not taken seriously," he added.

Kicking off Regent's 2012-13 theatre season, Blithe Spirit is the perfect piece to showcase the in-depth study and coursework of MFA in Acting students. "Our students take courses in Periods and Style, Shakespeare, and Scene Study that touch upon such revered playwrights as Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, George Bernard Shaw, and, yes, Noel Coward," Hill-Kirkland said. "It's a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage the skill sets they learn in class."

MFA in Acting student Sharon Biermann will perform her thesis role—a requirement for completion of a degree—in this production.