Ghost: The Musical

“Ghost,” the 1990 film starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, was a memorable and money-making weeper, winning Whoppi Goldberg an Academy Award for her role as the sassy psychic, Oda Mae Brown. In the re-imagined stage transport from London, Ghost the Musical, the supernatural romance, might have benefited from the enhancement of music were it not overtaken by the competition of eye-popping technology and LED displays. Directed by Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage),the onslaught of Paul Kieve’s spectral illusions, wildly flashing lights, speeding video projections, overwhelming sound and all the unchained manic geegaws will daze and/or thrill you. On the other hand, they also submerge the story, light as it is, to second place.

The romance involves a young couple deeply in love, banker Sam (Richard Fleeshman), and free-spirited sculptor, Molly (Caissie Levy). Not long after they move into their new home in Brooklyn, and even before Sam can tell Molly those three little words she wants to hear, he is murdered on the street. Once Sam has adjusted to his sudden ghostly form, he wanders around the city, unseen and unheard. Walking through walls, leaping on and off subway trains, he tries to find his murderer and protect Molly from Carl (Bryce Pinkham from Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), a threatening conniver who used to be his co-worker. Sam and Molly finally contact each other via pseudo-psychic, Oda Mae Brown (Broadway newcomer, Da’Vine Joy Randolph).

Randoph brings comic lightness to the melodrama, injecting an upbeat spirit to some gospel rousers, notably “Are You a Believer” She also scores with, “I’m Outta Here” and “Talkin’ About a Miracle,” although the best song in the show is the film’s theme, “Unchained Melody,” by Hy Zaret and Alex North. The song is reprised several times.

As for pop songwriters Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard’s original tunes in Ghost the Musical, well, you won’t go out humming, nor will they leave you with an emotional legacy. One song that seems out of synch with the times is, “More,” a glorified tribute to Wall Street. Choreography by Ashley Wallen is stilted, many dances reflecting New Yorkers briskly striding before the city scene projections.

From the London production, Caissie Levy (Hair) and Richard Fleeshman in his Broadway debut, sing out with strong conviction. However, with so much dazzle going on around them, and a plot that is minimal, the couple does not engage the hearts of the audience although thanks to the special effects, audiences get to witness Sam and Molly’s writhing love scene enlarged on one of the LED panels, close up and very personal. Impressive work is achieved by set and costume designer Rob Howell, projection designer Jon Driscoll, and lighting designer, Hugh Vanstone.

If you think you will be reaching for the tissues as you may have watching the tragic film romance, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you gravitate toward the current whiz-bang, bells and whistles genre of theater, Ghost the Musical is for you.