A 'Ghost' Of A Summer -Piccadilly Theatre 2011 CASTING COMPLETE

'Ghost - The Musical'

Manchester World Premier Season 2011.

The stage musical version of Oscar winning movie, 'Ghost' will receive its world premiere next year at the Opera House Manchester.

The production will preview from 28th March (no press night) and run until 14th May 2011.
A possible 4 week run has been penciled for the Bristol Hippodrome.

The production will transfer to the West End in July with a mid August opening to the world press.
The Piccadilly Theatre, operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group is the only West End theatre being considered at present.

Eurythmics’ founder, Dave Stewart, is writing the music and lyrics with Glen Ballard. Hollywood screenwriter.
Bruce Joel Rubin, will adapted his original screenplay for the stage version.

Directed by Matthew Warchus.
Designed by Rob Howell.
Both brought the mega musical failure, 'The Lord Of The Rings' to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane a few seasons ago.
Musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale.
Never before seen illusions by Paul Kieve.

The original film of 'Ghost', a world wide hit in 1990, starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore as Sam and Molly.

A New York couple are mugged walking home one night.
Murdered in the attack, Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next, and unwilling to leave Molly who remains in danger.
With the help of a crazy, phoney phsycic, Oda Mae Brown, the part Whoopi Goldberg played on screen eventually winning the Oscar, Sam attempts to communicate with and save Molly.

No casting has yet been announced.
Laura Michelle Kelly took part in the workshops for the show and is currently in talks to take the role of Molly.

Public booking for the Manchester premiere season opens 10th Sep 2010.

Updated On: 11/12/10 at 06:50 PM

I thought the original Ghost movie was boring in the extreme. I also thought that the Lord Of The Rings stage musical was boring in the extreme. So nothing much excites me about this - apart from the possible presence of Laura Michele Kelly, who is fantastic.

---

Get it sorted!
How was the 'weekend'?

Ha, i saw all the fuss made of Ms Rickett's appearance in London 2 weeks ago - embarrassing eyeliner!
I heard a rumor he has been asked to tour 'Joseph' next year with Kenwright.

Apparently Rickitt is going to be performing at Cardiff Pride on Saturday!

Also Lloyd Daniels, so this makes it OK :)

Also 'Same Difference' of X-Factor fame...

From Baz in todays Daily Mail

Sharon D. Clarke, who will play Oda Mae Brown, the bogus medium (the role Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for), in the musical stage version of Ghost, which opens in Manchester on March 28.

I can confirm that Ghost will begin previews at the Piccadilly Theatre in London on June 22, with an official gala opening on July 19.
The show’s director Matthew Warchus is in New York this week, auditioning other lead roles.

As i tipped

So glad Grease has finally announced it will go; but Ghost will a struggle on its hands being in this theatre. You cant rely on any passing trade!

Sharon will be fantastic.

They must be pretty confident with the out of town run just being Manchester. I did find it strange that they wanted to move it to Bristol before London.

Sharon D Clarke will be great in the Goldberg role.
I guess it will be rather small scale if it goes along the storyline of the movie!

Was the movie based on a book?

Auditions in new york? Americans for the rest of the cast?

Any connection with the New York Auditions to the fact LMK is currently performing on Broadway??

Complete casting has been announced for 'Ghost -The Musical'

Piccadilly Theatre, London.
Opening 19th July 2011.
Previews 22nd June 2011
Booking to 28th Jan 2012.

The show will open at Opera House, Manchester.
28th March thru 14th May 2011), prior to its run in London at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Cast:
Richard Fleeshman as Sam Wheat.
Caissie Levy as Molly Jensen.
Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown.
Andrew Langtree as Carl Bruner.
Ivan de Freitas as Willie Lopez.
Adebayo Bolaji as Subway Ghost.
Mark Pearce as Hospital Ghost.
Lisa Davina Phillip, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Jaygan Ayeh, Paul Ayres, Darren Carnall, Rochelle Neil, Michael Peters, Laura Selwood, Yemie Sonuga, Spencer Stafford, Phillipa Stefani, Jez Unwin, Sally Whitehead.

'Ghost -The Musical'
Music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard.
Bruce Joel Rubin will adapt his original screen play for the stage and write lyrics.

Directed by Matthew Warchus.
Designed by Rob Howell.
Musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale.
Illusions by Paul Kieve.
Lighting by Hugh Vanstone.
Choreography by Ashley Wallen,

Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next trying to communicate with his girlfriend Molly through a phoney psychic in the hope of saving her from his murderer. Ghost, based on the Paramount pictures film, will feature new music and lyrics as well as the classic Unchained Melody.

Richard Fleeshman, who has recently ended a run in 'Legally Blonde The Musical' at the Savoy, is best known on TV for his roles in 'Coronation Street' in which he played Craig Harris for four years and, more recently, Debbie Horsefield's 'All the Small Things' for the BBC. As a musician Fleeshman was the youngest contestant to win ITV's 'Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Special'. Later, in 2006, he won ITV's 'Soapstar Superstar'. In 2008 he accompanied Elton John on his Summer Stadium and Red Piano tours. His album Neon was released in 2007 followed by singles Coming Down, Hold Me Close, Back Here and Can You Hear Me?

Caissie Levy has most recently been seen on stage on Broadway and in the West End in the leading role of Sheila in the New York Public Theatre Cameron Mackintosh production of 'Hair'. Levy made her Broadway debut as Penny Pingleton in 'Hairspray', a role she recreated on tour in the US. She went on to play Maureen Johnson in the US tour of 'Rent' and in 2008 starred as Elphaba in the Los Angeles production of 'Wicked'.

Sharon D Clarke is a prolific West End, television and radio star and recording artist. Her stage credits include "Hairspray", “Chicago”, “We Will Rock You”, “The Lion King”, “Rent” and “Guys & Dolls” as well as many productions at the Hackney Empire.

Updated On: 11/12/10 at 08:03 AM

Apart from Ms Clark, I see this as very weak casting for such a high profile production!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11741763