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MC Hosts "Blithe Spirit" Production


Mississippi College audiences at the Aven Little Theater will have their funny bones tickled when they see the student production of "Blithe Spirit."

The British farce written by Noel Coward will debut Thursday Oct. 30 and its run on the Clinton campus ends Nov. 8. It tells the tale of a man, his second wife and his first wife's ghost. The story line is fitting with Halloween just around the corner.

MC communication professor Judith Lewis is directing the production set for performances Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1-4, and Nov. 6-8. Tickets cost $5 for students, MC faculty and staff and senior adults and $10 for general admission.

"Dr. Lewis is such a talented and extremely skilled director," said Laura Leigh Bingham, 20, a junior theatre major from West Point. "I cannot wait for MC students, family and friends to see the fruits of her labor. Blithe Spirit is sure to have Aven Little Theater overflowing with laughter for the entire duration of its run."

In her sixth role in an MC production, Bingham plays Ruth Condomine, the wife of successful British novelist Charles Condomine.

A theatre major from Cleveland, Allyn Flemmons, 19, plays the part of Elvira. In her second production at MC, she's hoping big crowds will turn out for what should be a "wonderfully creative, witty and very entertaining production. The cast is fantastic."

Flemmons plans to get her master's in theatre after leaving MC, and perhaps teach theatre.

That was the road taken by Lewis, an MC graduate who performed in student productions on the Clinton campus decades ago. Lewis worked for the U.S. Department of Education, became a professor at Troy State University and returned to her alma mater this fall.

The part of Charles is played by Jim Schnadelbach, a junior history major (soon to be social studies education major) from Clarksdale.

Schnadelbach relishes the neat combination of acting with the rigors of academic life at Mississippi College.

"Being onstage allows me to forget about the deadlines, tests and expectations, and to just have good, clean unhindered fun," he says. "Jumping out and throwing myself on stage is just about the only way I can stay sane in this fast paced world."

The Delta resident plans to teach high school history, but keep his hand in theatre productions as a hobby.

With opening day drawing near, Lewis said "It will be fun. We are really spoofing all this nonsense with mediums. The kids are really doing a fantastic job."

The productions at the 90-seat Aven Little Theater begin at 7 p.m. for evening performances starting Oct. 30, and 2 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Call 601-925-3935 for ticket information.


PHOTO: Dr. Judith Lewis runs lines with students for the MC's "Blithe Spirit" production