BWW Previews: GHOST THE MUSICAL at China Theaten

In 2011, I saw Ghost the first time in London (the original set) and I loved it from the first tune. The music of Dave Stewart (Eurythimics) and Glen Ballard is the kind of music I like and one of the most played in my car. The London set with Caissie Lewy (Molly) and Richard Fleesman (Sam) were absolutely amazing and the tears poured out of my eyes. I was so happy when I read it would be played in Stockholm and with some of my favorite music artists, Peter Johansson as Sam Wheat and Bruno Mitsogiannis as his friend Carl Brunner. Gladys Del Pilar Bergh as the media Oda Mae Brown seemed like a perfect match. Maria Lucia Heiberg Rosenberg (Molly Jensen) was completely unknown to me but she made a good impression on me on the showcase I was on earlier this year. It felt like the set was in good hands with Anders Albien (director of Dirty Dancing and Flashdance) as director and translator and Jenny Widegren (from the dance group Bounce) as a choreographer together with Bianca Fernström.

Tonight, was the second preview with audience and I had the privilege to have a ticket. So they are still working on it as it is one week to go to the opening night, September 14.

Anders Albien is famous for setting his mark on the musicals he directs with great results. He has made several changes from the London show, especially when it comes to the scenography and the choreography. The dance was brilliant and I was really impressed by the scenography by Andreas Bini. The background is made up with picture/films projected and the story is moved so nicely from Sam and Molly's apartment, to the subway, office and various New York views. Really well done! The light design (Palle Palmé) was also good, especially in the final scene when Sam enters into heaven.

The musical Ghost is based on the film with the same name and the plot is known to most readers. The banker/finance man, Sam, who moves together in a new apartment with the artist Molly. Sam has a best friend Karl who also works for Sam. Sam is shot one evening in a robbery but he becomes a ghost as his love for Molly is so strong so he cannot leave her. He contacts the media Oda Mae in order to get her help to get in contact with Molly and warn her about the person who shot him. At the same time he is learning how to go through doors and move things as a ghost. In order to make this realistic on stage, several special effects are used. How is Sam going through a door? The performance of the evening was interrupted one time as the technology did not work properly. A short extra break and then they were up and running again. Special effects were made by Mark Parker.

Peter was good as the nice quy Sam, Bruno's Carl went from being the nice guy to being a "bad guy" as the story went on. Gladys was absolutely amazing as Oda Mae. Both Peter and Bruno are great singers and they support each other perfectly. Gladys owns the stage as soon as she enter the stage. Maria is from Denmark and the Danish accent was sometimes a bit noticeable when she spoke, but I think after some more performances it will get less and less noticeable.. She has a wonderful voice with a lot of feeling. The chemistry between Peter and Maria is not as strong as Caissies and Richards yet. So I did not need to use my napkins to dry any tears, but I think the audience on the opening night will need it.

All the dancers and the ensemble were great, with several well know musical artist such as Sanna Martin, Alexander Larsson and Anna Maria Hallgarn. The orchestra were conducted by Janne Radensjö.

This was just the second time they played in front of an audience and they will improve it until the opening night. The audience loved it and they got standing ovations rightfully. I will see it the 23rd of September next time and I'm already looking forward to it.