Shaun Senter as Sam and Alli Perez as Molly. Photos by Delany Rain

Ghost, the Musical

Book & Lyrics by: Bruce Joel Rubin

Music & Lyrics by: Dave Stewart

Music & Lyrics by: Glen Ballard

Based on the Paramount Pictures film written by Bruce Joel Rubin

Audience Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Performance: Not Available

Volume Level: Comfortable, loud during some songs

Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: gunshots, flashing lights, violence

Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

When tragedies can't be explained in life, we often look to the supernatural. As we lean on our faith, praying directly to our god, and meditating in our grief, we seek answers, redemption and comfort. Perhaps we call upon a priest or a monk, an advocate, if you will, to act on our behalf. Sam, in Ghost, does this very thing, just not in the way we typically see it done. Initially, we may watch Sam's actions as author Bruce Joel Rubin originally intended and think he's especially peculiar for choosing Oda Mae Brown, a local psychic to act on his behalf, when he is in, in fact doing the very thing any of us might do. When we have an outlet, a gateway, we use it!

As I'm writing, I'm catching on to my own presumptuouness, assuming you're already familiar with what I'm referring to. If you've seen Ghost, the movie, then you probably do. If you weren't born before the late 1970s, then you might be only slightly in tune. I, myself, was only relatively familiar going into Upright Theatre Co.'s Ghost, the Musical, so I don't have much of a comparison. I can't tell you the elements of the musical and how they stack up against the original film (my apologies.) But, I can tell you that any event at Upright Theatre Co. is always a treat! Allow me to give you a brief synopsis to catch you up. Ghost tells the story of Sam and Molly, a couple living in New York who have just bought an apartment together. As a successful banker, Sam has done well for himself and entrusted his friend and colleague, Carl in managing accounts. When Sam is held at gunpoint for his wallet and shot by a man he later learns is named Willie Lopez (played with threatening intent by Robert Escamilla,) a twisted tale is unspun, with the help of local psychic, Oda Mae Brown (Essence Chicoine.) Together, Oda Mae and Sam (as a spirit trapped between Heaven and Earth) unlock the truth behind betrayal and protect Molly from Sam's true killer.

Shaun Senter shows experienced range, handling the role of Sam with romantic tenderness with his love, Molly, played by Alli Perez, who approaches her character with graceful gentility. Together, Senter and Perez are affectionately playful and lovable--we are so happy that they are happy, and we are crushed when their romance comes to such an abrupt end. As Senter's Sam seeks revenge with such determination, we are right behind him in his pursuits! We mourn with Perez's heartbroken Molly and urge her to listen to Sam through Oda Mae! Essence Chicoine is the fantastic comedic relief in this heavy story, joyfully singing and praising Jesus with her charismatic Hallelujah choir (Maddison Brandley and Jennise Streaty) while systematically cheating her customers out of an authentic spiritual reading, until Sam shows up. Joe Skipper is an excellent choice as Carl, who has added layered dimensions to a character who could otherwise be played stagnant or flat. Skipper reveals elements of Carl's character one at a time and not a moment too soon.

Director Sascha Connor successfully bends the void between illusion and reality within the story. Connor makes thoughtful use of a simple stage scrim, where we are able to see characters make the transition between the physical and spiritual world, suggesting the extremely thin layer between each, as well as recognizing that, what we typically define as "real," is ultimately dependant upon how the light hits it. Having this stage element added also aides Choreographer Whitney Morris in creative ensemble dance pieces at the top of the show, as well as moments throughout. Together, Connor and Morris further merge the concrete and fantastical realms of the story by use of Japanese style stagehands known as "Kurogo," who don either white or black masks, depending on the scene. The Kurogo Ghost duo, Gracie Ridings and Katie Blanton--seemingly neutral parties--act as the spirits controlling the unseen factors of the real world, like the wind, as well as the unexplained, like floating objects. This was, most definitely one of my favorite aspects of the show!

Ghost, the Musical is complete with sympathetic warmth and perfect vitality. No matter what your favorite genre of Theatre is--heartfelt musicals, eerie ghost stories, dramatic romance--Ghost has it! Tickets can be purchased at uprighttheatre.org. Ghost, the Musical continues through June 14.

Enjoy the Show!

Natalie