As Promised, My "crazy" Winter Garden Ghost Photos- Page 3

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/05 at 6:12pm

Amneris---I've heard of revivals, but this is ridiculous.

Pretty creepy... and so nice to see right before Halloween!

I actually saw (what I think was) a theatre ghost out here in L.A. years ago. It was at the old, gorgeous Mayfair Theatre in Santa Monica, built in 1911 as an opera house. (Where they filmed the "Puttin' on the Ritz" number in Young Frankenstein.)

I was there with the stage manager upstairs after rehearsal and we were closing up. We were talking for a few minutes, and I saw a gray glow move down the hallway out of the corner of my left eye. He stopped and asked me if I'd seen it too. We walked around the corner and there was nothing in the hallway. I have no explanation for it, but we both left the theatre very quickly. It's actually been written up in several books that a lady singer died only days before making her operatic debut at that theatre on opening night. Supposedly, her ghost is still wandering around backstage and upstairs, still waiting for her chance to "go on."

Updated On: 10/28/05 at 06:12 PM

[TinyDancer]

Posted: 10/27/05 at 6:22pm

I was actually with someone when they saw the BELASCO ghost.

I wish I'd seen it myself and was surprised i didn't, but in between shows while onstage, a fellow work mate looked up to the last rows of the balcony and said to me, 'who is that?'. I couldn't see anything and said so, but they were adamant to the point of yelling up to the last rows 'hey YOU...can we help you? No one is supposed to be in the theatre except for personnel.'

there was no response (apparently).

My friend headed offstage to go up to the balcony to address the situation. While he was making his way up i did HEAR a distinct 'clank' like a seat going up from a seated position from the place he was looking at from the stage...but again, didn't see anything.

By the time my friend got up there, 'it was gone' but it really shook them up. They described the 'figure' as being in 'full tuxedo dress with some sort of hat, a male.' which is consistent with other sightings of Belasco.

Of course there is the infamous apartment above the ceiling of the belasco theatre. I have not seen it myself, but i have had friends who've seen it and say it's quite a sight. Still furnished from the 1920's, everything in disarray and incredibly scary. There are a few who swear they hear footsteps coming from above in the apartment...and in the hull of the theatre where Houdini famously housed his elephants for his magic show, there are mysterious sounds and i have smelled cigar smoke in that area a few times.

Also-
At the former Martin Beck (now the Al Hirschfeld) members of the WONDERFUL TOWN company apparently had quite a miserable time with their ghost (believed to be the disgruntled Martin Beck himself at having the name of the theatre changed without his 'permission'). They said that up until the theatre was renamed they had no problems whatsoever.

But right after the official ceremony they started having horrible set break downs halting the show, harrowing near-accidents with flying props and set pieces and one cleaning person was so freaked out by a full apparation seen in the men's ensemble's dressing room that they refused to come back unless accompanied on their rounds by a partner.

I believe they finally brought someone in to 'cleanse' the place and had since appeased whatever spirit was causing trouble. I am not sure of this part, but i know they were investigating this option very seriously.

I also worked in a theatre down town that has of all things in its basement...a bowling alley. There is definitely something down there and not for the feint of heart. There are many noises that come clanging (like things are being thrown around) from this sectioned off room (located adjacent to the dressing rooms). But i believe whatever is in there- doesn't stray from the bowling alley into the theatre space. yet.

I also hear rumblings that at a current'y 'spooky' Broadway show, there are some interesting goings on. There is a distinct aroma of lavender that wafts backstage and soon after there are usually prop 'incidents' where things fall from the onstage shelves, etc when none of the cast members are remotely near them during the show.

There have also been rumors of people hearing their (character's) names whispered into their ears during the show while onstage.

It is suspected that this 'ghost' is a playful actress sort- who is so enjoying the production (perhaps the creepiness of it appeals to them)-- they wish to be a part of it, and perhaps feels a right to...as the subject matter does deal with death quite frequently.

As far as NYC, those are the things i know about personally.

Regionally- i have many personal stories to regale, but i dont want to bore.

I just wish i had proof of these encounters.
I do have photos and EVPS from other expeditions--
but none from the theatre as of yet.

ah well.

tinydancer