Ghost The Musical at the Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) in Norwalk, Connecticut has it all; romance, heartbreak, comedic moments, sensational music, and a dynamic cast that delivers spot on perfection under the direction of Kevin Connors. The on-stage chemistry between Molly (played by Allie Seibold) and Sam (played by Mollie’s real-life husband Seth Eliser) lights up the stage with their presence and vocal abilities. Ladonna Burns is sensational as the quasi-physic Oda Mae Brown, and Matt Mancuso plays Carl, the villain, whose greed is at the center of the play. Rounding out the amazingly talented cast is Kayla Arias, Scott Mikita, Teagan La’Shay, Jeff Raab, Leanna Rubin, Paul Aguirre, and Miguel Angel Acevedo. Ghost The Musical runs until April 28, 2024, and is a perfect evening of theatre at its best.
Ghost The Musical was based on the 1990 film, Ghost, starring Demi Moore as Molly, Patrick Swayze as Sam, and Whoopi Goldberg as Oda Mae Brown. Oscar-winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin wrote the film, Ghost, as well as Ghost The Musical, and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and GRAMMY® winner Glen Ballard, Jr. wrote the fabulous music. While the film won many Oscars, It should be noted that Ghost The Musical was nominated for three Tony Awards, five Olivier Awards, multiple Drama Desk Awards, and Outer Critics’ Circle Awards; yes, it is really that great of a play.
We had the pleasure of attending Ghost The Musical on opening night, Saturday, April 13, 2024, when the theatre was full, and the audience’s reaction was electric. For those who have seen the film (several times for us), playwright Bruce Joel Rubin’s script faithfully follows the film and its well-developed cast of characters. No matter how wonderful a script is though, it is ultimately up to the Director and to the actors to deliver, and the Music Theatre of Connecticut was well up to the task. Director and Co-founder of the MTC Kevin Connors is an award-winning director and having seen numerous productions he has directed; he always elicits the absolute best from his cast.
Allie Seibold plays Molly, and her real-life husband Seth Eliser plays her partner Sam, a young couple on their way up in the world. Sam works in finance, Molly is a talented artist, and they just moved into a large apartment in Brooklyn. They are beautiful, they are talented, and they are in love. Matt Mancuso plays Carl, who is not only Sam’s friend, but he also works for Sam. While it outwardly appears that Carl is their friend, bringing them food, helping them move in, there is an underlying jealousy and tension that lies just below the surface that he works hard to conceal. The dynamics between these three main characters are intense and believable.
When Sam is attacked by hoodlum Willie Lopez, played by Miquel Angel Acevedo (on the night we attended), while he and Molly are on their way home, things start to become interesting. Sam dies at the hospital and his journey begins when he encounters other ghosts portrayed by Jeff Raab as the Hospital Ghost (and others) and Scott Mikita as the Subway Ghost (and others), who teach Sam the ways and rules of his new world, and how to operate.
For Molly, her grief runs deep as she tries to adjust to life without Sam and is grateful for Carl’s attention and help until he starts to go too far. When Sam learns that Molly is in danger, he enlists the help of the Subway Ghost as well as Oda Mae Brown, a quasi-charlatan psychic played to over-the-top perfection by Ladonna Burns to help protect her. Rounding out the spectacular cast of characters are Kayla Arias (Louise/Wallace/Ensemble), Teagan La’Shay (Clara/First Nun/Ensemble), and Leeanna Rubin (Mrs. Santiago/Bank Officer/Second Nun/Ensemble) who deliver well-crafted performances.
The music is fabulous, the talented cast have amazing voices, and the story line has it all. We laughed, we cried at the end, and loved every minute of it! Bravo! If you love musical theatre, be sure to see Ghost The Musical at the Music Theatre of Connecticut before it ends on April 28, 2024.
Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!
For information or to purchase tickets, please visit the website: https://www.musictheatreofct.com/, call the box office at 1-203-454-3883, or email them at: admin@musictheatreofct.com.
The box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm and 2 hours before every performance.
Ghost The Musical – The Cast
Miguel Angel Acevedo
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Willie Lopez
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Kayla Arias
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Louise/Wallace/Ensemble
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Ladonna Burns
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Oda Mae
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Seth Eliser
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Sam
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Matt Mancuso
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Carl
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Scott Mikita
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Subway Ghost/Orlando/Ensemble
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Teagan La’Shay
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Clara/Ortisha/First Nun/Ensemble
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Jeff Raab
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Hospital Ghost/Lionel/Ensemble
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Allie Seibold
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Molly
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Leeanna Rubin
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Mrs. Santiago/Bank Officer/Second Nun/Ensemble
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Ghost The Musical – The Creative Team
Joel Rubin
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Book & Lyrics
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Dave Stewart & Glen Ballard
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Music & Lyrics
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Diane Vanderkroef
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Costume Design
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Jon Damast
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Sound Design
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April M. Bartlett
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Scenic Design & Prop Design
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RJ Romeo
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Lighting Design
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Dan O’Driscoll
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Fight & Intimacy Choreography
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Clint Hromsco
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Choreography
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Abbey Murray
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Stage Management
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Kevin Connors
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Director
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Alex Mongillo
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Photographer
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Current and Upcoming Productions on the MainStage
Ghost The Musical
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April 12- 28, 2024
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Master Class
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September 13-29, 2024
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Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – The Musical
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December 5-22, 2024
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Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo
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February 7-23, 2025
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La Cage Aux Folles
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April 4-19, 2025
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Cabaret nights, Open Mic Nights, Comedy Nights, and Norwalk Symphony Orchestra performances are also slated for the upcoming season so be sure to check the MTC website and social media pages for more information.
About MTC
“Music Theatre of Connecticut is the premier provider of musical theatre performance and training. Founded in 1987, we produce an annual series of Equity productions featuring New York professionals (MTC MainStage), numerous annual student productions, and a conservatory-style School of Performing Arts with curriculum-based training for students ages four through high school, including the nationally recognized College-Bound in the Performing Arts program for performance career-focused high school students.”
“The Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) was founded in 1987 by Kevin Connors (Artistic Director and Co-Founder) and Jim Schilling (Co-Founder), where MTC’s focus is musical theatre performance and training.”
You might also like to read our Backstage Interview – Kevin Connors & Jim Schilling of Music Theatre of Connecticut to learn the backstory.
For more information on the Music Theatre of Connecticut and to see their entire calendar of events, please visit their website: www.MusicTheatreofCT.com.
509 Westport Avenue (look for the large white sign)
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
United States
Box Office: +1-203-454-3883
Fax: +1-203-557-0496
Website: www.MusicTheatreofCT.com
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