Thursday, November 7, 2013

Ghost: The Musical - A Review



So...how does one begin this particular review?

How do I begin to explain the musical currently taking over the stage inside The Fox Theatre here in Atlanta?

I've always been a fan of the movie.  So, it was only fair I had my curiosity piqued on how they would adapt the movie to a musical.  But, as with all things "Broadway," I should not have been worried.

The company and people producing this play have made the transition from movie to stage quite nicely.   Illusionist Paul Kieve has taken this very spiritual movie and made it into one of the most magical stage plays I have seen -- actors walk through doors, objects levitate, and spirits rise from dead bodies.  ...and all this is done without you even blinking or thinking twice about it.  The stage play is almost two and a half hours long, and trust me - you will want to be still and quiet and intensely a part of the story the entire time.

Ghost, as you probably remember, is the romantic 1990 story of Sam and Molly.  You know it by now.  Sam is gunned down.  Molly is left to deal with her grief.  Sam then spends the majority his time here on Earth trying to communicate with Molly.  Sam eventually meets psychic Oda Mae Brown who helps him connect with Molly, and the two reunite briefly before Sam leaves for the afterlife.

The screen play was written by Bruce Joel Rubin, and the musical score was written by Dave Stewart (yes -- THAT Dave Stewart, of the Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard.  All top professionals in their fields.

However, despite the wonderful love story our screenplay and music gives us, it is the magic and illusion that you will walk away remembering.  To quote Illusionist Kieve, "A lot of things have to be reimagined for the stage...you need to design everything in the environment to make that happen and to make sure everyone in the audience...doesn't see how it works."

There are so many special effects and magical moments.  I don't want to spoil them for you!  One thing that I do want to point out is that, despite all the magic and illusion in this play, it is not a play (in my opinion) for children.  There is a lot of colorful language in the play, and some sexual scenes as well.  Not something I would want my children to hear or see.  Older teens may be fine, but I would not take middle school or younger-aged children to this particular play.


Lastly, and most important, let me brag on the actors before I wrap up this post.  The actors that play Sam and Molly (Steven Douglas and Katie Postotnik) are wonderful.  What voices!  I loved listening to Steven sing the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Medley (not everyone can sing that song or pull it off).  Steven pulls it off flawlessly each time he sings a piece of it.

...and the cherry on top of this play (besides the magic and illusion)?  Yes.  Yes.  Yes -- Ms. Oda Mae Brown.  This has to be one of my all-time favorite movie characters.  I wasn't sure if Carla Stewart could match Whoopi's performance, but I am POSITIVE that if Whoopi ever saw Carla's performance, she would give her a standing ovation.  I would give anything to have video of Carla and her version of Oda Mae.  In a storyline that is rife with drama and seriousness, Oda Mae breaks up the play and provides us with humor and breaks of laughter.  Lord, her character is funny!

In summary and to wrap up this post, let me say that I think you should make a trip to the Fox Theatre this weekend to see, "Ghost: The Musical."  It is familiar, heart-warming, and amazing to watch!  I don't think you will be disappointed if you decide to make the trip!

Here is a brief YouTube video of the play from the 2012 Tony Awards.  I hope it wets your appetite!


Tickets are currently available at the Fox Theatre box office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308), by visiting www.FoxAtlTix.com, or by calling 1-855-ATL-TIXX. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000

Remaining performances of Ghost The Musical are as follows:

            Friday                           8:00 p.m.
            Saturday                       2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.
            Sunday                         1:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

 

*This website was provided with tickets to see , "Ghost: The Musical," in order to promote and review it.  The tickets provided in no way influenced our review.  All opinions and views are our own.




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