Just in time for Halloween, Albert Lea Community Theatre is preparing a treat with lots of tricks.

The spirited Noel Coward comedy, &uot;Blithe Spirit,&uot; opened Thursday evening at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre. Director Patrick Rasmussen has put together a great cast to successfully pull off this timeless production.

&uot;Blithe Spirit&uot; is the story of a middle-aged writer who decides to host a seance as research for a novel he is planning to write about a murderous fake psychic.

Charles Condomine is a remarried widower, and the evening begins with a casual chat about his first wife Elvira’s seemingly unquenchable taste for life which came to an abrupt end years before.

The conversation seems to pass without upset for his present wife, Ruth, but when the seance conjures up Elvira in ghost form, things take a turn for the worst.

Though only he can see her, Elvira’s presence puts considerable strain on Charles’ relationship with Ruth, and forces him to reassess his attitudes toward love and marriage.

Elvira is intent on making mischief but, as only Charles can see or hear her, events unfold with entertaining but ultimately disastrous consequences, and an ending that’s well, simply smashing.

Lisa Sturtz is well cast as Elvira, who is described as &uot;fascinating, maddening, physically attractive and morally untidy.&uot; She really does seem to have an ethereal quality about her.

She makes sure people don’t refer to her as &uot;dead.&uot; &uot;It’s ‘passed over.’ Where I come from, dead is considered vulgar,&uot; Elvira says.

Equally well cast are Karen Behling as Ruth, who only grows more and more frustrated as the story unfolds, and Gordy Handeland as Charles, who obviously doesn’t want the spirit of his dead wife to depart.

But it’s Krista Johnson of Austin in the fun role of Madame Arcati who really steals the show. From her trances and dances to sprinkling some kind of dust and non-stop talking in general, she’s absolutely hilarious. Every time she wakes up, she sniffs to see what she’s missed. Her &uot;control&uot; is a little girl named &uot;Daphne.&uot; No wonder they think she’s some kind of charlatan. But obviously she has even more power than she imagined herself.

Brandi Draayer plays social elitist Mrs. Bradman, and Mike Compton is her husband, Dr. Bradman. Both are enjoyable.

Deb Peterson has her first ACT speaking role as the maid. It’s also a fun role. She’s obviously a new maid in the Condomine household, and she’s rather &uot;fleet of feet&uot; wherever she goes. Her reaction, upon discovering some ghostly shenanigans, is priceless.

There are some neat effects in this show, including recordings of the playwright himself. And it appears they are coming right out of the gramophone!

The set itself, designed by Rasmussen, is exactly what is needed to portray the English home. It’s elegant.

Costumes are also pleasing to the eye, especially on Mrs. Bradman and the ghost.

&uot;Blithe Spirit&uot; is a seasonal treat that should not be missed. It continues tonight and Saturday and again Oct. 30 and 31 and Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Box office hours are 3:30-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6-7:30 p.m. on performance nights; 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening performances; and 1-2 p.m. on Sunday matinee performances. The box office number is 377-4371.

(Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles@albertleatribune.com.)