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<p class="MsoNormal"><b style>GHOST THE MUSICAL<a name="_GoBack"></a>…there are a lot of illusions going on!</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s an adage in the theatre…the audience should not
leave of the theatre mainly talking about the special effects and sets.<span style> </span>GHOST THE MUSICAL proves that
wrong.<span style> </span>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. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The production is based on the 1990 box office smash movie,
GHOST, also written by Rubin.<span style> </span>It
starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg, who won the Academy
Award as best supporting actress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The musical closely follows the film’s story line.<span style> </span>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.<span style>
</span>While returning from a restaurant, in which, once again Sam has
difficulty verbalizing his love for Molly, the duo is robbed.<span style> </span>Sam is killed.<span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<span style>
</span>He enlists the help of Oda Ma Brown, a con artist and fake medium, to
channel his thoughts to Molly.<span style> </span>The
results are amusing, and the plot twist open the door to numerous ghostly
effects.<span style> </span>Of course, as in all such
stories, all ends well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While some may be turned off by the unrealistic plot, this is
an old fashioned two-Kleenex “chick flick,” meant as escapist entertainment.<span style> </span>To appreciate all the positive aspects
of the show, requires a suspension of literal belief.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The cast is excellent.<span style> </span>Foremost are the comic talents of Da’vine Joy
Randolph, who hilariously channels the medium, Oda Mae Brown.<span style> </span>Brown doesn’t imitate Goldberg’s film
antics, but develops a set of her own moves and sounds.<span style> </span>Her <i style>Are
You a Believer?</i> is a show stopper, as is the scene in which she finds
herself the short term possessor of 10 million dollars.<span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626">Richard Fleeshman (Sam) is the Broadway musical theatre
matinee idol prototype...tall, handsome, gym sculpted body, good acting chops,
and a great singing voice.<span style> </span>His <i style>Unchanged Melody</i> is well presented.<span style> </span>He and Caissie Levy (Molly) have a
realistic emotional connection, creating a believable relationship.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626">Levy, like Fleeshman, is natural and emotionally
acceptable in the role.<span style> </span>She has a
nice singing voice, which she uses well in <i style>With
You</i> and <i style>Nothing Stops Another Day</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626">Bryce Pinkham’s vocals are musically on target, and he is
effectively snarly as the friend turned bad.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626">Lance Roberts (Hospital Ghost), creates a poignant moment as
he sings <i style>You Gotta Let Go</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626">Ashley Wallen’s well-executed choreography combines
creative staging action and dance movements that enhance the story.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#262626">Jon Driscoll and his crew’s video and projection designs
and execution are beyond impressive.<span style>
</span>The overall effect of street movements, ghost appearances and
disappearances, and visual explosions, are visually awesome.<span style> </span>Hugh Vanstone’s lighting, Paul Kieve’s
illusions, and Bobby Aitken’s sound effects, all add significantly to the
overall positive effect. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style>Capsule
judgement:<span style> </span>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.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(In an open-ended run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>