Do you believe in Ghost? Melbourne 2013

Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat) and Molly Jensen (Cassie Levy) in Ghost the Musical: Sean Ebsworth Barnes
Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat) and Molly Jensen (Cassie Levy) in Ghost the Musical: Sean Ebsworth Barnes

Do you believe in Ghost? Melbourne does, and believe it or not, we will be seeing one sooner than you think!

The Victorian Minster for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, today joined Co-Composer and Co-Lyricist Dave Stewart on stage at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to announce that Ghost The Musical will open in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre in August 2013.

Adapted from the Academy Award winning film of the same name, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, Ghost opened in London’s Piccadilly Theatre on July 19 2011, and Melbourne has secured the second international production, after Broadway, opening in April 2012.

“Once again Melbourne has been chosen to host an Australian premiere season” Ms Asher said. “Securing the premiere seasons of major theatre productions helps to reinforce Melbourne’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities, and provides employment and investment opportunities”.

Ghost The Musical is directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, The Norman Conquests, Boeing-Boeing) and choreographed by UK based Australian, Ashley Wallen (The X Factor, Kylie Minogue). Created by a team of Grammy and Academy Award winners, and features a brand new, original score by Dave Stewart (half of the multi-Grammy Award winning Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s Man In The Mirror, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill).

Screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (Ghost, Jacob’s Ladder, The Time Traveler’s Wife) has adapted his Academy Award winning original screenplay for the stage. The musical score includes the song ‘Unchained Melody’ famously performed in the film by The Righteous Brothers during the iconic pottery scene!

Featuring ground-breaking technology and spectacular illusions by Paul Kieve, (Magic Consultant for the film of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) this spectacular production was lauded by critics and public alike. Time Out magazine wrote: “A new West End hit has landed. Gleaming stage-craft, full-throttle heartache and beguiling special effects” and as can be seen in the video trailer, Rob Howell’s set and costume designs are a visual feast.

The production will also feature musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Bobby Aitken, and projection design by Jon Driscoll.

Casting is scheduled to commence in late 2012 and ticketing information will be announced at a later date.

Producer Louise Withers stated that the first port of call for casting will be Australian performers, but they will look overseas for talent if the need arises.

Produced in Australia by Colin Ingram Productions Limited and Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Adam Silberman; Michael Coppel, Louise Withers, Linda Bewick and Donovan Mannato in association with Paramount Pictures Corporation, 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.

To sign up for email alerts about the Australian production, visit www.GhostTheMusical.com 

Want to know more about the show? Why not download the Original Cast Recording:  Ghost – The Musical (Original Cast Recording) – Cast of Ghost – The Musical


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Ghost the Musical is announced for Melbourne, 2013

Erin James

Erin James is AussieTheatre.com's former Editor in Chief and a performer on both stage and screen. Credits include My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The King and I (Opera Australia), Love Never Dies and Cats (Really Useful Group), Blood Brothers (Enda Markey Presents), A Place To Call Home (Foxtel/Channel 7) and the feature film The Little Death (written and directed by Josh Lawson).

Erin James

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