[NEohioPAL] Ghost The Musical on Broadway

[Roy Berko]

*GHOST THE MUSICAL…there are a lot of illusions going on!*



There’s an adage in the theatre…the audience should not leave of the
theatre mainly talking about the special effects and sets.  GHOST THE
MUSICAL proves that wrong.  After the final curtain, the audience was
excitedly raving about the on-stage special illusions, commenting about the
comic level of Bruce Joel Rubin’s script, while humming the pleasant, if
not memorable score, by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard.



The production is based on the 1990 box office smash movie, GHOST, also
written by Rubin.  It starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi
Goldberg, who won the Academy Award as best supporting actress.



The musical closely follows the film’s story line.  Sam, a young successful
banker, who has recently moved in with Molly, discovers that there is
manipulation of finances at the bank at which he worked.  While returning
from a restaurant, in which, once again Sam has difficulty verbalizing his
love for Molly, the duo is robbed.  Sam is killed.



He finds himself in the nether world, frustrated over his lack of truly
communicating his feelings to Molly and concerned for her safety because of
the awareness that Carl, his best friend and fellow bank employee, is the
source of the financial manipulation.  He enlists the help of Oda Ma Brown,
a con artist and fake medium, to channel his thoughts to Molly.  The
results are amusing, and the plot twist open the door to numerous ghostly
effects.  Of course, as in all such stories, all ends well.



While some may be turned off by the unrealistic plot, this is an old
fashioned two-Kleenex “chick flick,” meant as escapist entertainment.  To
appreciate all the positive aspects of the show, requires a suspension of
literal belief.



The cast is excellent.   Foremost are the comic talents of Da’vine Joy
Randolph, who hilariously channels the medium, Oda Mae Brown.  Brown
doesn’t imitate Goldberg’s film antics, but develops a set of her own moves
and sounds.  Her *Are You a Believer?* is a show stopper, as is the scene
in which she finds herself the short term possessor of 10 million dollars.



Richard Fleeshman (Sam) is the Broadway musical theatre matinee idol
prototype...tall, handsome, gym sculpted body, good acting chops, and a
great singing voice.  His *Unchanged Melody* is well presented.  He and
Caissie Levy (Molly) have a realistic emotional connection, creating a
believable relationship.



Levy, like Fleeshman, is natural and emotionally acceptable in the role.  She
has a nice singing voice, which she uses well in *With You* and *Nothing
Stops Another Day*.



Bryce Pinkham’s vocals are musically on target, and he is effectively
snarly as the friend turned bad.



Lance Roberts (Hospital Ghost), creates a poignant moment as he sings *You
Gotta Let Go*.



Ashley Wallen’s well-executed choreography combines creative staging action
and dance movements that enhance the story.



Jon Driscoll and his crew’s video and projection designs and execution are
beyond impressive.  The overall effect of street movements, ghost
appearances and disappearances, and visual explosions, are visually awesome.
Hugh Vanstone’s lighting, Paul Kieve’s illusions, and Bobby Aitken’s sound
effects, all add significantly to the overall positive effect.



*Capsule judgement:  GHOST THE MUSICAL may not be a great musical, but it
is a production that entertains, is filled with emotional tenderness and
humor, and makes for a nice escapist theatre experience.*



(In an open-ended run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.)
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20120522/5736cd9a/attachment-0004.htm>