October 18th, 2019 - 7:00 pm
Star-crossed young lovers, a clairvoyant with a sketchy past, and a determined poltergeist – how better to usher in Halloween?! There’s all that and more at Clear Space Theater as GHOST: THE MUSICAL opens Friday, October 18. Adapted from the Academy Award-winning 1990 romantic thriller, Ghost, the Tony-nominated musical opened on Broadway in 2012.
A poignant tale of a young couple separated by untimely death, GHOST: THE MUSICAL finds Sam (Eric Phelps) trapped between this world and the next, desperate to keep Molly (Alei Russo) safe from a looming danger. Unable to communicate with her directly, Sam enlists the aid of storefront psychic Oda Mae Brown (Karen Richards).
Says Phelps, “This story is just so timeless and touching. And the music is brilliant!” Russo concurs, noting, “I’ve always loved the movie and its story, but the musical—well, the songs are just beautiful.” Richards is equally enthusiastic: “This story is just so human, and so real. We experience so many emotions—love, loss, happiness, and resolution. And the songs I sing are out-of-this-world (no pun intended!) fun.”
Speaking to the show’s challenges, Phelps notes, “My role is challenging because – once I’m dead – no one can ‘see’ me or look at me on stage. It’s a huge challenge to be talking to people who can’t hear me; I have to try so hard to communicate.”
Richards notes that Sam’s “invisibility” is a challenge for her, too: “Since Sam is a ghost, even though ‘actor Karen’ can see him perfectly well, my character, Oda Mae, can’t. Sometimes I find myself automatically making eye contact, then have to stop and remember he’s ‘not there.’”
Says Russo, about her role as Molly, “I enjoy playing this role in every way. Molly is a very strong person, and is very genuine. I admire her as a human being; I love that I get to play her.”
All three actors feel the show is a real crowd-pleaser. Says Richards, “These are such relatable characters, and the music is unforgettable.” Adds Russo, “This show just underscores that life is so precious and it’s important not to take how lucky we are for granted.” Phelps concurs, noting that, “This show is so touching; audiences who invest in the story will go on a wonderful journey with each character.”
Sponsored by Dogfish Head Companies, GHOST: THE MUSICAL runs weekends from Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 27. Performances are at 7:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3:00 pm on Sundays. There also is one performance on Thursday, October 24, at 11:00 am. Tickets for each show are $17-$32, and may be purchased on-line at www.clearspacetheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 302-227-2270.