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GHOST The Musical Reivews

LimelightMike Profile Photo
LimelightMike
#1GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 4:21am

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."

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songanddanceman2
#2GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 8:49am

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.


Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

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themysteriousgrowl
#2GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 8:51am


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


CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES

chewy5000 Profile Photo
chewy5000
#3GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 9:16am

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

basketcase
#4GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 9:55am

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.

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newintown
#5GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 10:09am

"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 Profile Photo
kyl3fong2
#6GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 11:27am

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

themysteriousgrowl Profile Photo
themysteriousgrowl
#7GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 11:34am


"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."

GHOST The Musical Reivews


CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES

Chickiequotes85 Profile Photo
Chickiequotes85
#8GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 12:54pm

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 :)

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hmpeterson
#9GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 1:21pm

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

Borstalboy Profile Photo
Borstalboy
#10GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 1:24pm

How has this been selling thus far?

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


"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

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Jane2
#11GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 2:25pm

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.


<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

labwyfan Profile Photo
labwyfan
#12GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 2:55pm

I liked it better than ONCE. Swear.

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egghumor
#13GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 3:49pm

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
#14GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 4:15pm

Break a leg cast! Happy Opening!!

Auggie27 Profile Photo
Auggie27
#15GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 5:47pm

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


"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

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broadwaydevil
#16GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 7:40pm

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


Scratch and claw for every day you're worth! Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming You'll live forever here on earth.

theminutepast
#17GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 7:47pm

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

egghumor Profile Photo
egghumor
#18GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 7:53pm

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.

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bjh2114
#19GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 7:56pm

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 Profile Photo
broadwaydevil
#20GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 7:56pm

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


Scratch and claw for every day you're worth! Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming You'll live forever here on earth.

kyl3fong2 Profile Photo
kyl3fong2
#21GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 8:05pm

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. Updated On: 4/23/12 at 08:05 PM

Bettyboy72 Profile Photo
Bettyboy72
#22GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 8:11pm

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.


"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

Auggie27 Profile Photo
Auggie27
#23GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 8:13pm

"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.


"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

phantom39 Profile Photo
phantom39
#24GHOST The Musical Reivews
Posted: 4/23/12 at 8:17pm

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."


"Movies will make you famous; television will make you rich; but theatre will make you good." - Terrence Mann.
Updated On: 4/23/12 at 08:17 PM


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