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Great Lakes Theater Social Media Night

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Author(s)
Julie Smith
Stuart O. Smith, Jr.
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Cleveland
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PlayhouseSquare
Social Media

“Blithe Spirit”

On Friday, February 22, 2013, we had a hauntingly good time at Great Lakes Theater’s (GreatLakesTheater.org - @GLTFCleveland) first-ever social media night. On the opening night of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” we were treated to a wonderful evening of martinis, manners, and theatrical mayhem.

Martinis and Etiquette

The fun started with bartender Monica showing us how to make the perfect martini. She then served them to us as she explained that playwright Noel Coward’s recipe for a martini was to “fill a glass with gin, then wave it in the general direction of Italy!”

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Bartender Monica making the perfect martiniThe perfect martiniChris Fornadel and Cleveland bloggers watch the creation of the perfect martiniCleveland bloggers enjoy their martinisJulie with fellow Cleveland bloggersThe perfect martini

We then carried our drinks upstairs to hear a delightful presentation by Colleen Harding of the Cleveland School of Etiquette (ClevelandSchoolofEtiquette.com). Colleen spoke of cocktail party etiquette, gave us hints on remembering names, and stressed the importance of hand-written thank-you notes. She also graciously answered many questions posed by our group of bloggers.

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Leaning about proper glassware - Cleveland School of EtiquetteColleen Harding of the Cleveland School of EtiquetteColleen Harding of the Cleveland School of EtiquetteCleveland School of Etiquette

Theater Tour

Chris Fornadel, the Audience Engagement Manager for Great Lakes Theater, then treated us to a “mini-tour” of the Hanna Theatre. We learned that the Hanna is one of only three theaters in the United States with movable stage sections and a hydraulically controlled curtain-raising system. In 2008, the Hanna Theater was remodeled to provide a more intimate experience with a thrust stage for an audience of 550. The unique venue includes club seats, historic box seats, banquette seating, and a lounge zone.

Hanna Theatre Seating

If you want to learn more about the other theatres at Playhouse Square, read our blog post about the Ohio Blogging Association Theatre Tour with Playhouse Square Partners.

We also learned about Great Lakes Theater’s partnership with theaters in Boise, Idaho, and Las Vegas, Nevada, and other possible future partnerships. Chris shared with us information about famous alumni of the theater (see the theater's web page). Tom Hanks, before his "Bosom Buddies" days and other more famous roles, worked at Great Lakes Theater, and earned his Actors' Equity card there.

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Tour of Hanna Theatre with Chris Fornadel, Audience Engagement ManagerTour of Hanna Theatre with Chris FornadelTour of Hanna TheatreHanna TheatreHanna Theatre

The Play! "Blithe Spirit"

The highlight of the evening, of course, was the performance of “Blithe Spirit.” We truly enjoyed the talent and energy of the actors in this funny, sophisticated play. The style of the actors' costumes and the set transported us back to 1941 for this period comedy. We want to thank Great Lakes Theater for having us as their guests for this fun show.

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Front row seats for "Blithe Spirit""Blithe Spirit" director Charles Fee welcomes audienceHanna Theatre's historic box seatsIntermission: "Blithe Spirit" specialty drinksHanna Theatre

Obviously, we could not take photos during the show (you really need to see the show's energy in person), so we were pleased that Chris Fornadel gave us permission to share with you these “Blithe Spirit” official photos from the theater. They will give you a visual glimpse of the spirit of the show.

Click on “Blithe Spirit” official photos to enlarge.

Actor Jodi Dominick (as Edith), the maid

Actor Jodi Dominick (as Edith) is "maid" for the role in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth) make a mostly happy couple in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth) make a mostly happy couple in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Laurie Birmingham (right, as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) takes center as Maggie Kettering (left, as Ruth) and Molly McGinnis (far left, as Mrs. Bradman)

Actor Laurie Birmingham (right, as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) takes center as Maggie Kettering (left, as Ruth) and Molly McGinnis (far left, as Mrs. Bradman) helplessly observe in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Laurie Birmingham conjures up laughs

Actor Laurie Birmingham conjures up laughs and an unexpected guest or two (as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) at a seance with her hapless hosts (actors, from left to right) Aled Davies (as Dr. Bradman), Maggie Kettering (as Ruth), Molly McGinnis (as Mrs. Bradman) and Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth) make a mostly happy couple in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Laurie Birmingham (as Madame Arcati) confronts her charming skeptic Aled Davies (as Dr. Bradman) as Eric Damon Smith (center, as Charles) observes

Actor Laurie Birmingham (as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) confronts her charming skeptic Aled Davies (as Dr. Bradman) as Eric Damon Smith (center, as Charles) observes in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) attempts in vain to introduce his current wife, Maggie Kettering (right, as Ruth), to the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (left, as Elvira)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) attempts in vain to introduce his current wife, Maggie Kettering (right, as Ruth), to the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (left, as Elvira), in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) is confronted with the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira)

Reunited and it feels so...good? Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) is confronted with the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira), during a hilarious haunting in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) is reunited with the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) is reunited with the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira), during a hilarious haunting in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth)

Actors Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) and Maggie Kettering (as Ruth) make a mostly happy couple in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Maggie Kettering (left, as Ruth) requests the assistance of Laurie Birmingham (right, as Madame Arcati) to exorcise her "demons"

Actor Maggie Kettering (left, as Ruth) requests the assistance of Laurie Birmingham (right, as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) to exorcise her "demons" in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira)

Actor Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira) takes center stage during a hilarious haunting in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) receives a "cold shoulder" from the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira)

Reunited and it feels so...good? Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) receives a "cold shoulder" from the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (as Elvira), during Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) enlists Laurie Birmingham (right, as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) to exorcise his ghost, Shanara Gabrielle (left, as deceased first wife, Elvira)​

Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) enlists Laurie Birmingham (right, as the madcap medium Madame Arcati) to exorcise his ghost, Shanara Gabrielle (left, as deceased first wife, Elvira) in Great Lakes Theater's production of the spook-tacular Noel Coward comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which runs through March 10. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

 

These photos and text ©2013 Great Lakes Theater. All rights reserved.​

What Others Are Saying

Cleveland bloggers at Hanna Theatre
Thank you Julie @WearingMascara for photo
​of some of the Cleveland bloggers.

Learn more about this first social media night at Great Lakes Theater and "Blithe Spirit" by reading from other bloggers who attended:

Links to articles about this "Blithe Spirit" and Great Lakes Theater Social Media Night:

Discounts

During the tour, Audience Engagement Manager Chris Fornadel shared with us that students receive a deeply discounted ticket rate of $13.00 per ticket for most shows: 

After the social media night, Chris emailed me this special $10.00 discount promo code that you can use for Blithe Spirit:

SAVE $10 OFF EACH TICKET THAT YOU PURCHASE!
Click for PDF with details
 

Social Media Night Tweets

See what others said while attending the Great Lakes Theater first Social Media Night at "Blithe Spirit."

 

Disclosure: We were provided two tickets for the show and invited to the pre-show social media gathering. We enjoyed the show and wrote this blog to share our experience.