Blithe Spirit is the first production of Spencer Theatre Company, founded in part by Julie Staley, known for her extensive work on area stages, her time as a local television personality, and her demonstrated commitment to many arts and service organizations both in Springfield and Decatur, notably The Staley Museum.

It’s good to have another producing organization in town and with Blithe Spirit, Spencer Theatre Productions deserves our support. The challenge (and opportunity) for the young company will be to differentiate itself within the theater community and build new audiences.

The theater is a place for entertainment, to be sure, but also a place to challenge old ideas, to educate and to inspire. Noel Coward knew this. His work and life are an example to us all to see things differently, to look below the surface, and face the world and our diversity with radical acceptance. How shall we characterize this new effort? What will be the Spencer Theatre Company’s raison d’être?

Staley has also announced the creation of Spencer Films, LLC, now in production on a film covering the long and fascinating history of Decatur’s A.E. Staley Manufacturing (now part of Tate & Lyle Ingredients). One of the most astonishing aspects of that history is Staley’s founding, in 1919, of the football team we now know as the Chicago Bears.

Will Staley and company’s new theater expand the artistic range and audience for theater in Springfield? Will her new production company become known as “Hollywood on the Sangamon?” Here’s wishing them very well indeed. Stay tuned. –Dennis Thread