“The show must go on” has never been more urgent than during this haunted month of October, when two Moline theaters were forced to replace female leads just days before opening night, due to health issues.

First, at the start of the month, it was Sara Wegener, who stunningly stepped into the role of Elizabeth for Spotlight Theatre’s production of “Young Frankenstein.”

Then this past Friday night (Oct. 24), Krissy Wheeler opened as Ruth in the dark comedy, “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward at Playcrafters Barn Theatre. Appearing on the Playcrafters stage for the first time in eight years, two of her past shows there were “M.A.S.H.” (Mitzi) and “Rumors” (Cassie).

Jaren Schoustra and Esteban Lopez play Elvira and Charles in the Playcrafters production of “Blithe Spirit” through Nov. 2, 2025.

In the classic 1941 Coward farce, director Grey White originally cast Wheeler in the small role of the maid, Edith, and Izzy Holmes as Ruth – in her second marriage to the fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, whose first wife Elvira had died young seven years before. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, Holmes had to leave the Playcrafters cast due to illness, and Wheeler bravely stepped into the major role, keeping her script (understandably) in hand during the opening night performance I saw.

Natalie Hansen, the stage manager, is now in the part of the maid.

I could not have been more proud or impressed with how Wheeler distinguished herself in the part – she was not overly dependent on the script, her emotions were always appropriate and impactful, and her voluminous line readings were flawless.

Her acting game was likely raised by the towering, powerful performance of Esteban Lopez, who embodies Charles with wit, flair, confidence, and later confusion and raging conflict as he’s thrust in the middle of a literal love triangle.

Jaren Schoustra as the ghostly dead wife Elvira, with Esteban Lopez, in “Blithe Spirit.”

Coward’s play — performed in the midst of the London Blitz during World War II – centers on death, but the broad, big-personality characters of Elvira (a pale ghost only Charles can see and hear) and the flighty, eccentric medium Madame Arcati, attempt to give the story a light, feathery touch.

To me, however, the sense of darkness, loss and regret are never far from the shimmering, literate surface.

The play begins as Charles and Ruth plan a dinner and séance with the local medium, Madame Arcati (a flamboyant, over-the-top, theatrical Anna Kronenberger), so Charles can study her for his novel, and they invited their friends Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (the solid, sympathetic Drew DeKeyrel and Erika White-Seabloom).

Anna Kronenberger, left, Esteban Lopez (at rear), Erika White-Seabloom and Krissy Wheeler in “Blithe Spirit.”

During the séance, despite their skepticism, the Condomines and Bradmans witness Madame Arcati fall into a trance, and Charles hears the voice of his deceased first wife Elvira (a serenely happy, joking Jaren Schoustra). After the dinner guests have left, the spirit of Elvira walks onstage into the living room. Charles can see and hear her, but no one else can.

We understand Ruth’s frustration with the situation, and she and Charles argue (he freaks out and think he’s going mad). In a scene alone with Lopez and Schoustra, we see a true tenderness and affection between their characters.

Though it wasn’t clear from this Elvira, the program director’s note says here the role is physically portrayed as non-binary, a queer character both physically and emotionally.

Krissy Wheeler as Ruth and Esteban Lopez as Charles in “Blithe Spirit” at Playcrafters.

Despite the darkness of the subject matter, Schoustra excels by maintaining the airy, ethereal quality that’s built into the description of her titular role. And their occasionally asides to the audience are playful.

“Blithe Spirit” is a long play (three hours including intermission), but is satisfying, touching with high-energy hijinks from Kronenberger. Special mention also should be made of the excellent set design by Michael Turczynski and light design by Greyson Hansen and Brian Danielson.

Performances (at 4950 35^th Ave., Moline) will continue at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $16 and $18, available at 309-762-0330 or at playcrafters.com.

Anna Kronenberger as the eccentric Madame Arcati in “Blithe Spirit.”

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Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner -- who has called the Quad Cities home since 1995 -- has decades of experience as a professional journalist and pianist. His experience writing for daily newspapers, public radio and local TV encompasses a wide range of subjects, including the arts, politics, education, economic development, historic preservation, business, and tourism.

Jonathan most loves writing about music and the arts (which he now does as a freelancer for the River Cities Reader and Visit Quad Cities). He has a passion for accompanying musicals, singers, choirs and instrumentalists, including playing for QC Music Guild's 2023 productions of RENT and SWEENEY TODD. He is assistant music director and accompanist for the spring 2025 Music Guild show, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. He wrote an original musical based on The Book of Job, which premiered at Playcrafters in 2010. Jonathan penned a 175-page history book about downtown Davenport, that was published by The History Press in 2016, and a travel guide about the QC published by Reedy Press in 2022.