Stage Door at 'Ghost The Musical'

Playbill signed by Richard Fleeshman.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy meeting fans Monday night.
(photo: TheHopefulTravler)

Leaving the stage door at 'Evita' last night, I caught the leads of 'Ghost the Musical' meeting fans at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre along the walk back to my hotel. Since I didn't have my 'Ghost' playbill yet, I just snapped a couple photos knowing I'll have the opportunity after tonight's show.

I first saw a performance by 'Ghost' lead actor Richard Fleeshman in 2010 when he played Warner Huntington III in the London production of the musical 'Legally Blonde', also based on a popular movie. Little did I know how popular the actor was until a large group party of women went wild when he appeared on stage. By the way this version of the show was better than the one that played on Broadway mainly due to the delightful actress by the name of Sheridan Smith.

Prior to 'Legally', Fleeshman had made a name for himself with a career on UK television and on the British pop charts. In 'Legally', he replaced another popular UK pop singer Duncan James in the role. 'Ghost The Musical' when it premiered in London in 2011 was Fleeshman's first premiere leading role for the stage.

The Hopeful Traveler and Richard Fleeshman after tonight's performance.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

'Ghost the Musical' souvenir program.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

The London production of 'Ghost' received a more positive reception than on Broadway. The show garnered five Oliver (the West End's version of the Tony Awards) Award nominations including best musical, best supporting role in a musical, best lighting design, best set design and best sound design. However the show was up against the juggernaut called 'Matilda the Musical' which won a record seven awards and is expected to come to Broadway next season.

Funny thing about seeing Fleeshman on Broadway in 'Ghost' was noticing that his hair is actually quite wavy. Those who have seen him in 'Legally' would notice no curly locks. Included in this post for comparison is a photo (below) of the actor from a 2010 promotional event for 'Legally' in London.

Anyway the actor was quite pleasant working the entire line of audience members and thanking many of them for coming to the show. The photos of him in the red shirt were taken yesterday. He exited the stage door tonight using a white shirt.

Times Square billboard advertising 'Ghost the Musical'
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Richard Fleeshman in 2010 at a promotional event for the musical
'Legally Blonde'. (photo: montagne_jeunesse)

Review: 'Ghost The Musical' Enlivens the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

 Caissie Levy (Molly) and Richard Fleeshman (Sam).
(production photos: Joan Marcus)

‘Ghost The Musical’ based on the popular 1990 film now haunts Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in a stage musical adaption. Filled with visual delights at every opportunity, the show is a feast of modern stagecraft unlike anything audiences have ever seen on the New York stage.

Book writer and co-lyricist Bruce Joel Rubin retains key moments and elements from his Oscar-winning screenplay about murdered banker Sam Wheat and his artist lover Molly Jensen made famous by Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore on film and now realized on stage by the appealing Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy repeating their roles from the show’s London production. Da’Vine Joy Randolph embodies Whoopi Goldberg’s Oscar winning role as reluctant clairvoyant Oda Mae Brown who is drafted by Sam to protect Molly and help find his killer. Bryce Pinkham plays the couple’s good friend and Sam’s co-worker Carl Bruner.

(story continued below)

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Oda Mae)

If opening sequences foretells an exciting story to come, the overture and soaring images above New York City on the massive video screens that make up the stage walls set expectations high. The story is actually quite intimate and works best on stage when Molly, Sam and Oda Mae take the stage. The ensemble scenes should have been rethought. For example when ghosts begin converging at Oda Mae’s shop, they are all dressed in garments from various time periods feeling like remnants of the Lunt’s prior tenant ‘The Addams Family’ which also featured an ensemble of ghosts. In the songs “More” featuring a bevy of suited New Yorkers and “Rain” with the use of umbrellas the ensemble fills the huge stage but seems almost out of place when the story returns to the trio of main characters.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Caissie Levy (front)
and Richard Fleeshman.

Director Matthew Warchus also a disfavors for Levy’s Molly. Her scene when Sam is shot is hijacked from her. Instead of keeping the tone of the movie where the character is isolated with the dying Sam in her arms, Warchus adds dizzying sounds, lights and ensemble members that Levy is swallowed by these elements and her emotional moment lost.

What works are the engaging leads. Randolph, like Goldberg in the movie, steals every scene and the audience eats it up. In “I’m Outta Here” she stops the show. It’s a disco-infused number resembling a runway show in Paris. One of the better songs in the score and with Randolph such a commanding presence, the scene would still work without the ensemble of dancers. It’s highly doubtful that other actors could improve on the movie performances but on stage Levy and Fleeshman are believable as a couple in love, their contemporary vocals fit the pop-rock songs in the score and they make the tear-jerking ending a satisfying moment.

The song “Unchained Melody” is such an iconic part of the movie that it does make an appearance. Unfortunately it makes the original ballads written by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame) and Glen Ballard, their first stage musical score, pale in comparison. Perhaps it’s the songs placement in the show as “Three Little Words” and “Life Turns on a Dime” are both pleasant tunes. The former captures the romance between Molly and Sam and the latter humanizes Bruner’s duplicitous Carl. One song that should have been cut in previews: “Focus”. As Sam is taught his ghostly powers to move objects, the quasi-rap tune can’t seem to end soon enough coming across as simply loud and unpleasant.

(story continued below)

Caissie Levy

Richard Fleeshman

The use of massive video walls that can fold and re-arrange themselves for various scenes gives fluid movement to the production and turns the backdrops into three-dimensional vistas. No doubt audience members will be dazzled by the additional use of magic. For example, Sam does walk through a wall in one pivotal scene. The combination of these production elements gives the whole show a modern and unique design esthetic.

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman.

Despite the qualities of the production there appears to be a definite backlash against the show. It failed to gain a Tony nomination for best musical (the poorly received and closed ‘Leap of Faith’ getting a nom in that category) or for best score, the latter category filled with only two musicals and two plays that featured original songs. The backlash continued when the awards were handed out. Though Randolph deserved her nomination as featured actress, her competition was fierce in the category and her non-win expected. But if this show had a chance to win a Tony it would have been in the lighting design or set design category which was a feat of technological achievement for the stage. Instead Tony voters continued to bestow the intimate musical ‘Once’ with wins in these two categories for more traditional design work.

As much as I can say I would not mind to see 'Ghost The Musical' again for the actors, production elements and even some of the songs, the sat fact appears, as evidenced by the middling box-office grosses (and universally mixed-to-negative reviews), that all the stage magic this production possesses will disappear by the time summer relinquishes the season to fall.

THE DETAILS

• Website: ghostonbroadway.com
• Where: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
• Where: 205 West 46th Street, New York City
• When: Mon, Wed-Sat 8pm; Tue 7pm; Wed & Sat 2pm
• Running Time: 2 hrs 30 min
• Ticket Prices: $57-$141.50 (Premium $177-$202)
• Opening: Apr 23, 2012 (previews from Mar 15, 2012)
• Closing: Open Ended
• Book Online: ticketmaster.com
• Ticket Services: 877-250-2929
• Cast Recording: Ghost: The Musical (Original Cast Recording - London)

Bryce Pinkham (center) and the ensemble.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Richard Fleeshman and Jeremy Davis (Lionel).

Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy

Caissie Levy, Richard Fleeshman and Bryce Pinkham.

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman.

Video: 'Ghost The Musical' on Broadway

Below are  videos promoting 'Ghost The Musical' now playing on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The musical is based on the popular 1990 movie starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. Stage actors Richard Fleeshman, Caissie Levy and Da'Vine Joy Randolph assume the roles for the musical.

Click HERE to view the Ghost on Broadway YouTube videos.

Actor Richard Fleeshman tours the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (9:38 minutes)


Broadway Trailer (clips are of the Original London Cast) 2:02 minutes


2012 Tony Awards Performance (2:22 minutes)

The Venue: The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Haunted By 'Ghost The Musical'

The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 46th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenues.

The same shot of the theatre but at night.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre opened on Broadway in 1910 as the Globe Theatre. The theatre had a retractable roof to enable the theatre to stay cool and open during the summer. In 1932 the venue was turned into a movie theater until 1958 when it was gutted and rebuilt in its present configuration as a Broadway theatre.

The theatre was renamed in honor of America's foremost husband/wife acting couple, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, who starred in tis first production, 'The Visit.' Patrons to the theatre can enjoy photographs from their collection throughout the various lobby spaces.

Seating for 1,505 patrons is on two levels. Two staircases, one accessed from the box office lobby and a second accessed from the orchestra level lobby lead to the beautiful mezzanine bar and seating. Because of the box office access, the mezzanine bar opens one hour before the performance.

Click HERE to view the Lunt-Fontanne seating chart. The theatre is one of eight Broadway theatres operated by the Nederlander Organization. All online ticketing is handled by Ticketmaster.

The Lunt-Fontanne is currently home to 'Ghost The Musical' based on the 1990 feature film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. Previous tenants include 'The Addams Family' (2010) and two Disney musicals 'The Little Mermaid' (2008) and 'Beauty and the Beast' which moved to the Lunt-Fontanne in 1999 (it originally opened at the Palace Theatre in 1994). 'Beauty' is the show to have played the theatre the longest staying in residence for eight years. 'Titanic' an original musical based around the sinking of the ocean liner opened at the venue in 1997 and won the Tony Award for best musical.

The original Broadway production of 'The Sound of Music' (1959) played the Lunt-Fontanne for three years before moving to the Mark Hellinger Theatre a few blocks north. The hit musical played over 1,443 performances between the two theatres.

The orchestra seats beneath the mezzanine.

The chandeliers of the beautiful mezzanine bar.

Murals greets guest on the mezzanine level.

Tonight's audience entering the theatre to see a performance of
'Ghost The Musical'.

The current tenant at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. 'Ghost The Musical' opened
on April 23, 2012.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

'Ghost The Musical' Set to Open in New York April 2012

I'm probably setting myself up for disappointment by writing several posts about 'Ghost The Musical'. I have to admit the original 1990 movie is a favorite of mine and I warmed up to it being adapted for the stage once I learned of the creative team, composer and actors of the London production. I cannot wait for the chance to see this show.

BroadwayWorld.com reports that the West End production is booking tickets until October 2012 and that the show will open on Broadway in April 2012. Producers are currently eyeing the Lunt-Fontanne, Shubert and Palace. Caissie Levy who is playing the Demi Moore role of Molly will likely repeat on Broadway. Less certain is her Sam played Richard Fleeshman. With a transfer confirmed, more details of casting and dates are to come soon.

In the meantime the original cast recording of the London production is available on iTunes and on CD.

'Ghost The Musical': Trailer & What The Press Said

Check out the brand new official trailer for 'Ghost The Musical'. The pre-West End run finished seven weeks of performances with 100,000 people seeing the show. The show is now playing at the Piccadilly Theatre in London. Click HERE to see more videos from the musical. 'Ghost The Musical' Original Cast Recording available on CD.

From the press....

Charles Spencer for The Daily Telegraph: "This may not be a great musical, but it is a highly entertaining one that looks to set to keep audiences laughing, gasping and sniffing back the tears for a long time to come."

Paul Taylor for The Independent: "It's all seamlessly inventive and full of synaesthetic pleasures, but it can't fully compensate for the shallowness in other department."

Henry Hitchings for The Evening Standard: "With Superb special effects and engaging performances, Matthew Warchus's production certainly has plenty of dazzle."

See the previous post for production photographs. Click HERE for the full set of posts about 'Ghost The Musical'. For more info visit ghostthemusical.com.

At Opening Night: 'Ghost The Musical' stars Andrew Langtree (Carl), Cassie Levy (Molly),
Richard Fleeshman (Sam) and Sharon D Clarke (Oda Mae Brown).
(photo credit: Sean Ebsworth Barnes)

'Ghost The Musical' Opening Night in London

'Ghost The Musical' at the Piccadilly Theatre

Cassie Levy and Richard Fleeshman
(all production photos: Sean Ebsworth Barnes)

The much anticipated production of 'Ghost The Musical' officially opened at the Piccadilly Theatre in London on July 19 after previewing from June 24. The musical is currently booking for performances to January 28, 2012.

Reading about the combination of the stars and creative talents and seeing photos of the pre-West End run, this is one of the few times I was immediately taken to consider seeing a movie turned stage musical. Normally I immediately question on what purpose can be had bu adapting the film for the theatre. Until I get to see the production to give a real assessment, this post includes new production photographs. The next post will include the musical's trailer and review excerpts from the popular press. Click HERE for the full set of posts about 'Ghost The Musical' including those regarding the pre-West End tryout run.

Matthew Warchus directs 'Ghost The Musical' starring Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy as Sam and Molly in the roles made famous by Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Co-starring are Sharon D. Clarke as Oda Mae Brown and Andrew Langtree as Carl in the roles originated on film by Whoopi Goldberg and Tony Goldwyn. The musical features new music by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Glenn Ballard and features the classic song "Unchained Melody" iconically associated with the film. Bruce Joel Rubin adapts his Oscar winning screenplay for the stage. 'Ghost The Musical' Original Cast Recording available on CD.

'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 hope of saving and protecting her.  Learn more at ghostthemusical.com.

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman

Caissie Levy

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman

Richard Fleeshman and members of 'Ghost The Musical' company.

Sharon D. Clarke

Andrew Langtree

Richard Fleeshman, Caissie Levy and Andrew Langtree

'Ghost the Musical' Trailer & Music Video

This is the last of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

For a taste of the production that is about to come to the Piccadilly Theatre in London, here are a pair of videos. For more videos, visit the 'Ghost the Musical' YouTube Channel. The first is the trailer for the musical and the second the music video for the song "Here Right Now" from the show.

'Ghost': Richard & Caissie Become Sam & Molly

Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy star in 'Ghost the Musical'

This is the third of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

Having the opportunity to see Richard Fleeshman in "Legally Blonde" in London in 2010 and Caissie Levy in the 2009 revival of "Hair" on Broadway in supporting roles, it will be interesting to see how they fare as leads in such a high profile show as 'Ghost the Musical' based on the 1990 feature film.

The audiences and critics are waiting until the show premieres this June at the Piccadilly Theatre in London. More info at ghostthemusical.com.

For now here are their program biographies:
Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat)

Richard made his West End debut in Legally Blonde playing Warner opposite Sheridan Smith at the Savoy Theatre.

Television credits include Craig Harris in Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders, Moving On, All the Small Things, Reading Bedtime Stories, Monday Monday and Blue Murder IV.

In 2003, Richard won Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes and went on to win Soapstar Superstar in 2006. Richard plays the piano and guitar and signed a major record deal with Universal Records in 2007. More recently he has been working with Sir Elton John on his Summer Stadium, Red Piano and European Tours.

www.richardfleeshmanuk.com

Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen)

Ms. Levy is delighted to be back in the UK in Ghost, having starred as Sheila in last season's West End production of Hair at the Gielgud Theatre.

Broadway credits include Sheila in the 2009 Tony Award winning revival of Hair, Elphaba in Wicked (Los Angeles), Penny Pingleton in Hairspray (Broadway, 1st National Tour), and Maureen in Rent (National Tour). In concert, she was a guest soloist for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Recordings include Keys: The Music of Scott Alan, Reach The Sky: Bobby Cronin Live At the Beechman, All Things In Time: Stuart Matthew Price, Thirteen Stories Down: The songs of Jonathan Reid Gealt, and the Grammy Award nominated cast recording of Hair, from which her rendition of Easy To Be Hard was awarded USA Today's Pick of the Week.

www.caissielevy.com

Fleeshman off stage during his run in "Legally Blonde"
(image credit: Montagne Jeunesse)

Levy offstage during the run of "Hair"
(image credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

'Ghost the Musical' Charity Single

This is the second of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

In the memory of Patrick Swayze and to acknowledge the work of SU2C (Stand Up 2 Cancer), 'Ghost the Musical' will be working on a number of initiatives in support of the charity. First up is the release of a new single on June 22, 2011 from the show called "With You" sung by Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy who play the lead roles of Sam and Molly. The proceeds of the single will go to SU2C.

The single is available for preview on amazon.com or apple.com and download on iTunes (UK customers: visit amazon.co.uk or the UK iTunes store).

Swayze, the star of the film "Ghost,"was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2008. After waging a valiant public battle against the disease, the actor died in September 2009 at the age of 57.

SU2C aims to raise awareness and bring about an understanding that everyone is connected by cancer and to motivate the public through forms of media to become involved in the cause of curing cancer.

'Ghost The Musical' Appears in London This June

Richard Fleeshman (Sam) and Caissie Levy (Molly)

In the UK some recent movie to stage musical adaptations have failed to excite the public. 'Ghost the Musical' which arrives at London's Piccadilly Theatre this June may break the spell just with the sheer curiosity of the film's fans by the undertaking.

Levy and Fleeshman

The romantic film is always a likely candidate to be adapted into a stage musical and 'Ghost' the movie is among the most popular in the genre. Originally released in July 1990, the film starred Patrick Swayze as a ghost who teams up with a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) to uncover the truth behind his murder and to rescue his wife (Demi Moore) from a similar fate. The film made over $500 million at the box office to become the number one grossing film of the year worldwide. Not just a summer release for the masses, the film was honored at the 1991 Academy Awards with two Oscars (supporting actress for Goldberg and original screenplay). The film also received nominations for best picture, score and film editing. In addition Goldberg won a Golden Globe and BAFTA (British Oscar) the same year for the role.

Sharon D. Clarke (center) as Oda Mae Brown playing the role originated
by Whoopi Goldberg on film.

The film cemented Swayze and Moore's superstar reputations and turned the word 'ditto' into a romantic term of endearment. A memorable scene in the movie featured the song "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers resulting in radio airplay and a resurgence in sales for the recording. The duo re-recorded their hit returning the song to the Billboard top 20 and received a certification for sales of one million copies in the US for the single.

Fleeshman and Levy

Now comes a musical adaption which was previously announced to play the West End two years earlier at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Those plans were scrapped and instead the stage musical adaption is on an out-of-town tryout in Manchester, England from March 28, 2011 before beginning performances in London on June 22.

The creative team includes director Matthew Warchus, a a 2009 Tony Award winner for directing 'God of Carnage'. Some of his directing credits include 'The Norman Conquests,' 'Boeing, Boeing,' 'Art.'. His musical directing includes 'Lord of the Rings,' 'Our House' and the 2003 revival of 'Tell Me on A Sunday.' Bruce Joel Rubin is adapting his screenplay for the stage. Music and lyrics are by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. With Eurythmics' partner Annie Lennox, Stewart delivered a string top 40 hits including "Here Comes the Rain Again" and "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)". Ballard is a six-time Grammy award winner. One of his biggest successes was the multi-platinum album "Jagged Little Pill" which he co-wrote and produced with the album's artist Alanis Morissette. The show is budgeted at 6 million pounds (US$9 million). "Unchained Melody" is reported to be included in the show but not part of the score sung by the cast.

Fleeshman (right) in the scene after his character of Sam is murdered.

A review from Manchester's Finest:
Fans of the film will be pleased to know not a lot has been changed in it’s transferral from screen to stage although some scenes occur in a different chronological order, which is good for keeping the audience on their toes.
.

Richard Fleeshman

A stunning performance is given from Caissie Levy as Sam’s girlfiend Molly. The Canadian born actress, most recently seen as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, plays the role with a truth and emotion that has you transfixed throughout. Her rendition of ‘With You’ before the end of the first half is breathtaking as she belts out each note with passion and perfection. I would definitely bet on the fact that we will see Caissie getting a nod next year at prestigious theatre awards, the Oliviers.
.
Former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman gives his best performance to date as the despairing and driven protagonist, Sam. Despite my prior reservations at his casting, thinking him ‘too young’, onstage he shows a maturity that proves the Manchester born actor has definitely ‘come of age’.
.

left to righ: Sharon D. Clarke, Richard
Fleeshman, Caissie Levy.

Comedy comes in the form of Psychic Ode Mae Brown, played by Holby City’s Sharon D. Clarke-a theatre veteran who has previously appeared in Chicago and Hairspray. Armed with some wicked one liners there are times she truly steals the show and provides a well needed laugh in what could become an emotional tear-fest.
. 
What makes the show so special though is the eye popping special effects which have you wondering ‘how did they do that’ long after you leave the theatre. Fleeshman jumps through doors, people, and at one point disappears right in front of your eyes-a real testament to illusionist Paul Kieve who has worked his magic on the production.

The show appears to have the makings of hit mixing talents from the world of the stage, pop music and film to bring the story to a new audience 20 years later. Those who remember the film fondly may likely want to take the journey again and see the story of 'Ghost' in a new light.

Below are more production photos with rehearsal photos in black and white.

This is the first of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

Richard Fleeshman, center

The company of 'Ghost the Musical'

The company of 'Ghost the Musical'

Andrew Langtree plays Carl Bruner in the role originated by Tony
Goldwyn on film.

Levy and Fleeshman (center)