Blithe Spirit, Noel Coward's frothy comedy of seances and second marriages, finishes the 1997-98 season at CT's Long Wharf Theatre. The show opened Apr. 1, and finishes its scheduled run May 3. The theatre will be off until September, but no details have been given on next season's first production.

Blithe Spirit tells of a seance which brings Charles' first wife into contact with his still-living second.

John Tillinger, former literary consultant for the theatre (1975-97) directs the piece, which runs to May 3. Tillinger's Broadway credits include Broken Glass and the current Sunshine Boys revival.

Blithe Spirit stars Maggie Welsh (Elvira), Sarah Peterson, Pamela Payton-Wright, Seana Kofoed, Michel Gill, Tim Donoghue and Jayne Atkinson (How I Learned To Drive, Ivanov). Designing the show are Michael Yeargan (sets), Jess Goldstein (costumes) and Don Holder (lighting). Other Coward plays include Hay Fever and Private Lives.

For information on Blithe Spirit and other works at the Long Wharf in New Haven, call (203) 787-4284. *

Another Long Wharf undertaking, Douglas Hughes' mounting of David Rabe's A Question of Mercy, is currently in London (Apr. 22-May 23) in trade with the Bush Theatre for their recent CT staging of Love and Understanding.

-- By David Lefkowitz