EMA REVIEW: Ghostwriter the Musical *** Satisfying

Photo by Allec Gomes on Unsplash

A Ghost musical?

By Paul Atreides

Author, Playwright, and Theatre Critic at EatMoreArtVegas.compaul-atreides.com  

Let me preface this by saying: I am a sucker for a musical. There, I said it. I'm not ashamed. Plus, if you know me, you know I'm all in when it comes to ghosts.

Directed by Rip Pellaton, Speeding Theatre is presenting the world premiere of Ghost Writer the Musical, with book, music, and lyrics all by M. Parker, in Las Vegas Little Theatre's Fischer Black Box. The premise is simple: A songwriter couple struggling with writer's block somehow summon George Gershwin to help them overcome their lack of confidence. I wanted to like this. The opening scene immediately brought Paul Rudnick's comedy I Hate Hamlet to mind, wherein a young actor accidentally summons the ghost of John Barrymore to help him play Hamlet for Joseph Papp's Shakespeare in the Park.

Where Rudnick's play succeeds, this one fails. The arc feels disjointed, as if there's no valid through line. Parker's music is enjoyable and well within the style of popular 20s and 30s songs. The overall is not up to the standard Parker brought to Matched, a musical she debuted at the Fringe Festival a few years ago (which is on Speeding Theatre's schedule later in the season).

Yisrael Dubov portrays the songwriting couple as Ryan and Annie Wang as Melody. Both do a decent job. Whether due to script or direction, there's a sadly missed opportunity for Dubov in the opening scene as he laments Melody walking out on him and not being able to pen music. The dialogue there is ripe for breaking the fourth wall and pulling in the audience to take them on the journey, and the ploy would work well throughout.

While her Melody isn't fully fleshed out, Wang moves about the stage without any motivation – except when she's dancing. As the choreographer, she's in her element. The choreography is very fitting to the moment and the style, and she's done a commendable job of it in such a cramped space.

The songwriting duo's manager/agent, Max, is played by Zachary Montgomery. He assumes the physicality of the older man and delivers clichéd jokes about the failed composer shuffling along in life, accompanied by a lovely song that reminisces about his youth. It's the best song in the play, but it feels like it was inserted without an apparent reason.

Amy L. Reusch plays Maddie, Max's bimbo girlfriend and wannabe cabaret singer to the hilt, squeaky voice, postures, and all. Reusch sparkles when doing one of her old pole dancing routines.

The standout in the cast is Steve Bray, who plays Gershwin. He brings true joyous energy to the stage, whether he's singing or delivering quips about other famous composers in heaven. He moves about the tiny stage with the apt confidence of a successful songwriter.

If you like classic music musicals of the '30s and '40s – think Top Hat, Swing Time and Gold Diggers of 1933 – and Gershwin tunes like "Embraceable You," "Summertime," "I Got Rhythm" and, of course, "Rhapsody in Blue," you'll enjoy this show.

What: Ghost Writer the Musical

When: 7 p.m. Friday - Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through November 16

            2 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 25 and November 1

Where: Las Vegas Little Theatre – Fischer Black Box, 3920 Schiff Drive

Tickets: $30 (702-362-7996; www.lvlt.org)

Grade:  *** Satisfying

Producer: Speeding Theatre; Director: Rip Pellaton; Choreographer: Annie Wang; Set Design: Uncredited; Lighting Design: Uncredited; Costumes: Dianne Pellaton; Stage Manager: Evan Rollings