Ghostlight

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

Since the first Neaderthol produced the first play around a campfire, ghost stories float with abandonment. Some have been held in tight secrecy. After all, wh’s going to believe the unbelievable? The people who experience the unnerving episodes, that’s who.

Missy Moore as “The Scenic Artist” in Everyman Theatre Company’s production of Ghostlight.

Under the direction of Richard Pegg, Everyman Theatre Company performs Ghostlight at The Pluss Theatre in the Mizel Center for the Arts and Culture. Written by Michael R. Duran, known by just about every theatre company in and out of Colorado for his exquisite set designs. Ghostlight tells six stories of strange and weird things that have happened in theatres where he was directly involved. Imagination can frequently be challenged, but real life experiences are a different story. Six theatre people remember the stories.

As the stage manager, animated Lindsay Goranson relates her job of closing down the theatre, making sure the lights are turned off, and doors locked. She remembers the last time she saw her best friend, Dave, who moved to Dallas. In the dark of the theatre they hear a baby cry. Whenever they moved toward the sound, the cry floated in from another direction.

John Samson muses as the Director over a strange dream he had during his first trip to Steamboat Springs as the guest of the Producer and his wife. The nightmare he had turns out to be more than just a nightmare.

Linda Button deliciously relates the tale of the Costumer, who frequently found herself working in out of the way basement rooms. In one instant seven dolls from Civil War Days grab her attention in a way she wished they hadn’t. The Nanny Doll takes on a life of her own.

One of the most compelling of the stories comes from The Actress, embodied by Emily Paton Davies. During a successful run of Blithe Spirit, a mirror reflects more than her image.

Guy Williams as The Actor remembers a game during his Junior Year in college on the 4th floor of a 1907 building demolished by fire. The game provides more than fun and frolic.

Missy Moore enchants as the Scenic Artist who takes a job in a small town where the once upon a time train station has been converted into a cultural center. She knows the theatre is supposedly haunted. No one tells her the whole story until she experiences it for herself.

Maintaining enthralling monologues requires accomplished actors. These six are believable in their roles and stories.

The set adequately reflects the various parts of the theatre, with a definite backstage feel to it, allowing the actors to move freely without question at any time who they are. Their costumes, props, and most of all their defined characters spell out what they are about.

Did Ghostlight scare me? No. Did it intrigue me? By all means. I was left wanting to hear more stories, especially backed up by one who had gone through the experience.

Some of the stories get tangled in words and ramble a tad too long. The impact of the stories could readily be sharpened with a scrutinized editorial red pencil. There are no surprises with this production. The juggling of a few words, crisper, cleaner monologues surprises would benefit the experience.

Although the lighting scheme had some most effective moments to reflect ghostly escapades, it could be elaborated.

As an introduction to real life theatre ghost stories, Ghostlight is a great beginning, and for that reason alone this production should not be missed. Doubt the reality of ghosts? Duran’s Ghostlight will tickle your imagination. Duran was there. He knows. The script just wants to be fine-tuned. The ghosts will help, if asked.