High Spirits: The 60th Anniversary Concert of An Improbable Musical Comedy
January 6, 2025
“The songs by Mr. Martin and Mr. Gray have suavity and style and in two instances are distinctive in grace and wit.”
–The New York Times
Spirits will rise when 54 Below presents High Spirits: The 60th Anniversary Concert of An Improbable Musical Comedy. The 1964 Broadway musical, with book, music and lyrics by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray, based on Noel Coward’s classic play Blithe Spirit and originally directed by Coward, received 8 Tony Award® nominations, including Best Musical, Best Composer & Lyricist, and Best Author of a Musical. This intimate immersive concert staging stars two time Tony Award® winner Judy Kaye as the eccentric medium Madame Arcati who conjures up Tony Award® nominee Christine Andreas as the wickedly ethereal Elvira, alongside a cast of other Broadway stalwarts, including special guest star Adrienne Angel from the original Broadway cast. Produced, conceived, directed, and also starring Tony Award® nominee Walter Willison, with musical direction by James Woods and musical supervision by Dennis Buck.
Mystery novelist Charles Condomine gives a séance to debunk the high-spirited spiritualist Madame Arcati, but his plan backfires when, much to the consternation of his current wife, Ruth, the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, shows up, to the tune of “You’d Better Love Me (While You May)” (one of the most performed songs of the 1960s). Will the happy medium succeed in exorcising Elvira before the mischievous manifestation succeeds in bumping off Charles so they can love happily ever after in her “Home Sweet Heaven?” Not before the cast performs the other worldly score by Martin & Gray! So come to Madame Arcati’s Coffee Shop and “Go Into Your Trance,” because “Something is Coming to Tea” and it’s flying around “Faster Than Sound.” If you’re in the mood for an evening of mysticism, mayhem, and musical merriment, “Something Tells Me (Tonight is the Night)!”
Featuring:
Tony Award® winner Judy Kaye (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera)
Tony Award® nominee Christine Andreas (On Your Toes,Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, La Cage aux Folles revival)
MAC Award winner Ann Kittredge (Menken & Ahrens’ A Christmas Carol at MSG, King David, The Music Man regional)
Tony Award® nominee Walter Willison (Grand Hotel, Two By Two, Pippin)
From the original Broadway cast:
Special guest star Adrienne Angel (Peter Pan, Promises, Promises, First Impressions)
With:
Nicholas B. Cloutier
Jaxon McKay
Zoë Parrish (NYC workshops of YES! The Musical and Zombie Musical)
Sophia Tzougros (Transport Group’s Nine and Follies in concert, Jimmy Awards finalist)
and more stars to be announced!
Costume coordination by Mitchell Bloom. Assistant direction by Zoë Parrish.
Please note that all artists and acts are subject to change at any time.
Featuring
Pricing
- $62 (includes $7 in fees) – $73 (includes $8 in fees)
- VIP Seating: $95 (includes $10 in fees)
- Premiums: $117 (includes $12 in fees)
- Prices shown are only valid for online purchases. Additional $6 in fees for all seating sections if purchased at the box office.
- $25 Food & Beverage Minimum
