Ghost The Musical is a play by Bruce Joel Rubin and music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. The show began in the United Kingdom in 2011 before a Broadway transfer was inked. The key roles of Sam Wheat (Richard Fleeshman) and Molly Jensen (Caissie Levy) are filled by the actors who developed them in England. Oda Mae Brown (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and Carl Bruner (Bryce Pinkham) make their production debut in New York City. SoundPress.net attended an evening preview performance of Ghost The Musical on April 21, 2012.

Ghost is the story of Sam and Molly. Sam is murdered one night as the couple are walking back to their apartment. Sam finds himself trapped in this world as a ghost and then discovers that Molly is in grave danger. Their tale continues to unfold as Sam - with the help of phony psychic Oda Mae Brown - tries to get a message to Molly in order to protect her.

The Broadway undertaking is based on the movie with some alterations to keep it fresh and adaptable to the stage. Multiple tales unfold through the music and script with the most important being the love story of Sam the banker and Molly the artist.

Ghost The Musical captures the essence of New York City. It starts with the happy couple moving into an apartment in Brooklyn. Despite their differences the two are very much in love as expressed in the opening song "Here Right Now" and later "Three Little Words". Photos showing snippets of their times together floated around the stage in a technique that was three dimensional. This engaging effect was used throughout the production.

The stage set up for their apartment was simple allowing the love story to be front and center. It was countered by the scenes of New York that were busy and bright. Aggressive use of dance, lights and music captured the bustle of The Big Apple. At the bank where Sam worked were big clocks and images capturing the feel of high finance in 3D.

The next scene was a typical New York caf with the two discussing marriage. As they walked home Sam was shot. The set changes to a hospital where a big green flat line running across the stage confirms that Sam died even though he was present. Molly morns through songs as she tries to cope with her loss while unaware that she is in harms way.

The Broadway show featured a full orchestra and a company of performers that played different parts and packed the stage for cityscapes. Yet, the character of Oda Mae Brown filled the room in her own right. The con-artist provided much of the comic elements to Ghost. Oda and her sisters were sassy and soulful especially in "Are You A Believer".

More plots and stage shifts revealed a plan of bank corruption along with stories of art, city life and love. It was discovered that the couple's friend Carl was involved in the financial scandal. There were also subtle messages to embrace life as things can change quickly as told in "Life Turns on a Dime" and "Nothing Stops Another Day."

Sam and Molly were likable and Oda was lively. All were supported by a talented troop of dancers and singers. The shifting sets were dynamically designed to give the illusion of depth and movement. Other magical moments were bolstered by enchanting special effects including ethereal scenes of departing souls and Sam walking through a door on stage.

The historic Lunt-Fontanne Theater was a perfect venue for Ghost The Musical. Opening in 1910 the building has a long history of housing hits including "Beauty and the Beast" and "Hello Dolly". Many legends of the stage who have passed on have performed there - and they can be seen in the ghostly photographs that line the walls of the downstairs lobby.

Ghost The Musical was excellent and enchanting. Based on the reactions and applause we observed the play appears to be a hit and we believe it should be haunting Broadway for many years to come!

Related Links: For more information on GHOST and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - GHOST | Lunt-Fontanne Theatre