GHOST to Make Asia Pacific Premiere in Manila April 2014

Manila, Philippines--Atlantis Productions ("Addams Family," "Piaf"), whom Filipino theatergoers should thank for bringing the latest and hottest professionally licensed Broadway and London's West End shows to the Philippines for the past 15 years, will stage the Asia Pacific premiere of the Broadway and London's West End new musical GHOST on Friday, April 25, at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, where the show will run for three weekends until Sunday, May 11.

Asian pop superstar Christian Bautista ("West Side Story," "Cinderella") will play Sam Wheat; musical theater actress and theater producer Cris Villonco ("Closer," "A Little Night Music") will play Molly Jensen; "Miss Saigon" alumna Ima Castro ("Aida," "In the Heights") will play Oda Mae Brown; and theater actor Hans Eckstein ("Piaf," "Rock of Ages") will play Carl Bruner, Sam's best friend.

The production's director, Bobby Garcia ("Carrie," "Addams Family"), says in a statement: "I'm thrilled to be bringing this timeless love story to the stage with an exciting cast. GHOST is an extremely romantic and beautiful story of love, loss, and what the afterlife means, and I look forward to creating the show with this phenomenal cast and creative team," which include choreographer Cecile Martinez, musical director Ceejay Javier, set designer Otto Hernandez, lighting designer Dong Calingacion, costume designer Daniel Arcinue, projection designer GA Fallarme, vocal coach ManMan Angsico, assistant director Jamie Wilson, who will also play the role of the Subway Ghost, and illusion consultant Max Kaye of Zongle Creative, UK.

GHOST: The Musical is a timeless fantasy about the power of love, which is adapted from the 1990 feature film, starring Patrick Swayze (Sam), Demi Moore (Molly), and Whoopi Goldberg (Oda Mae), by its Academy Award-winning screenwriter, Bruce Joel Rubin (also co-lyricist in the stage version). The musical tells the story of Sam and Molly, a young couple in New York, whose connection takes a shocking turn after the former's untimely death. Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger. Desperate to communicate with Molly, he turns to a storefront psychic Oda Mae, who helps him protect his fiancée, and avenge his death.

The musical, which is also currently on U.S. tour, features the hauntingly beautiful song "With You," whose music and lyrics were written by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Glen Ballard, who wrote songs for Michael Jackson and Alanis Morissette. Its score also includes the banner love song from the original film soundtrack, "Unchained Melody," written by Hy Zaret and Alex North (courtesy of Frank Music Corp. ASCAP).

Licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, GHOST: The Musical has been nominated for numerous awards, including five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards. The Associated Press calls the musical, "Eye-poppingly brilliant"; Newsday says, " [GHOST is] Unlike anything seen on stage before."

The Asia Pacific premiere of the musical will also feature stage actors Altair Alonso, Mikkie Bradshaw, Bym Buhain, Arron Cadawas, Steven Conde, Milai Imperial, Kim Molina, Raul Montesa, Yael Pineda-Hall, and Marisa Saroca.

For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at (632) 892-7078.

GHOST: The Musical is recommended for theatergoers 13 years old and older; there are mild violence, mature themes and dialogues.