GHOST The Musical Reivews

[LimelightMike]

Today is Monday, April 23, marking the official opening night performance of Ghost The Musical, the London pop musical based on the Academy Award-winning 1990 film about a romance that reaches into the afterlife, in a visually-arresting staging at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Ghost began Broadway previews March 15.

Under the direction of Matthew Warchus, Ghost is studded with a series of dazzling supernatural effects created by Paul Kieve. The LED scenic design, which gives a fast-paced view of New York City and takes audiences onto a moving subway car, are created by Jon Driscoll.


Oscar-winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin adapted his original screenplay for the musical, which has music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Dave Stewart (of the Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard. Rubin also contributed lyrics. The score also includes "Unchained Melody," which prominently figures into the film.

The Broadway production stars original London leads Richard Fleeshman in his Broadway debut as Sam, opposite Caissie Levy as his girlfriend Molly. The principal cast also includes Bryce Pinkham as Carl Bruner and Broadway newcomer Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the role of medium Oda May Brown.

According to producers, "Ghost The Musical is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Walking back to their apartment one night, Sam and Molly are mugged, leaving Sam murdered on a dark street. Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next and unable to leave Molly who he learns is in grave danger. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Oda Mae Brown, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving and protecting her."

[songanddanceman2]

Break a leg to all, sadly i don't think it's gonna enjoy the same success there as it did here in the UK, but hey, i think it's a great show, a great overblown entertaining night out.

[themysteriousgrowl]

I had a dream the other night that I saw this show, and it was really, really terrible.

[chewy5000]

I dreamt the other night that I saw Newsies and it was amazing. How weird is that?

[basketcase]

GHOST didn't exactly open to raves in the UK. This actually might be one of those shows that still has a draw despite mediocre reviews.

[newintown]

"I had a dream the other night that I saw this show, and it was really, really terrible."

I had that exact same dream, growl!

But then I woke with a start to find I was actually at the Lunt-Fontanne watching the show.

The horror, the horror...

[kyl3fong2]

Break a leg to the cast and crew of the production tonight!!!

[themysteriousgrowl]

"I had that exact same dream, growl!

But then I woke with a start to find I was actually at the Lunt-Fontanne watching the show."

[Chickiequotes85]

I saw this show in London, although I didn't really like it a lot of people did. Some of technical effects were really good. I am interested to see how it is received on Broadway :)

[hmpeterson]

Good luck to the cast and crew. I am seeing this in August. Can't wait!

[Borstalboy]

How has this been selling thus far?

The poster looks like a megachurch reboot of ROMEO & JULIET.

[Jane2]

Reviews notwithstanding, I'd be very surprised if this show doesn't turn out to be critic proof and enjoy a long run. If it gets the tourist audience, that'll happen. I sure hope so! I loved it.

[labwyfan]

I liked it better than ONCE. Swear.

[egghumor]

Yes, it could be this season's PRISCILLA. Based solely on numerous videos clips I've seen, it represents everything I think is wrong with the present state of Broadway, especially musicals. (PRISCILLA runs a close second.)

[ChildrenwillListen]

Break a leg cast! Happy Opening!!

[Auggie27]

I actually think it's this season's AIDA, with a similar demographic for its audience.

[broadwaydevil]

USA Today is mixed to negative (2 stars out of 4)

http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/story/2012-04-20/ghost-the-musical-broadway/54491744/1

[theminutepast]

I'm looking forward to the bloodbath tonight. I guess I shouldn't be so gleeful about it...

[egghumor]

If the other reviews are as enthusiastic as USA Today's then it looks like the jagged window pane of criticism comes slamming down on this production.

[bjh2114]

Backstage is negative:

"...director Matthew Warchus attempts to give cinematic qualities through the use of stage illusions, recorded videos, and film sequences. Film, however, has the luxury of yelling “Cut!” In the theater the show must go on, even if the expensive stage technology fails.

Though a technical glitch caused an unplanned 25-minute break at the performance I attended, I’m not going to get caught up in the details. The incident only illustrates exactly what is wrong with “Ghost”: It’s trying to be something it’s not. Warchus has turned a touching silver-screen love story into an overly flashy showbiz musical that betrays the intimacy of its source."

She has nice things to say about Da’Vine, but the other 3 aren't as lucky.

http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-broadway/ny-review-ghost-1006852952.story

[broadwaydevil]

AP is mostly positive.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-broadway-musical-of-ghost-is-inventively-fun-with-eye-poppingly-brilliant-effects/2012/04/23/gIQAQFa6cT_story.html

[kyl3fong2]

Damn that Backstage review was harsh.

Also it looks like the technical glitch that happened at last Thursday's performance is sliding by the critics. So far they've all mentioned it in their reviews.

[Bettyboy72]

The backstage review echoes my feelings and the tech glitches that night seem like an omen. They overpower the simple love story at times.

I loved Ghost, but the effects were overstimulating at times.

[Auggie27]

"I'm looking forward to the bloodbath tonight. I guess I shouldn't be so gleeful about it..."

I've been posting here for almost a decade, and this attitude never ceases to amaze me.

[TaleofTwo]

Here's a little surprise..

POSITIVE from Matthew Murray.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/Ghost.html

"Although I walked into the Lunt-Fontanne positive I'd be able to resist the paranormal allure of the new musical there, it didn't take me long to realize that doing so would require supernatural abilities I do not possess. Librettist-lyricist Bruce Joel Rubin (who won an Oscar for his 1990 source screenplay) and composer-lyricists Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard have written one of the finest film-to-stage adaptations in current memory, which Matthew Warchus has directed with energy and passion. Add in a better-than-necessary cast led by U.K. actor Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy (best known from playing Sheila in the 2009 revival of Hair), both of whom originated their roles in London, and you have an evening that startles with just how good it is."

[ghostmusicalfan]

I agree, it is LIVE theatre, no chance for re-takes tech problems occur, thats the beauty of live theatre you never know what is going to happen. This show will be around for a while despite what the critics or others say. It is a timeless story that every single person on this earth can relate to!