Debra Li

    debra_lidan@163.com

    ADAPTED from the hit 1990 supernatural romantic drama film of the same name, “Ghost the Musical” will be staged for eight nights between May 15 and 22 in town.

    With good-looking singers in the leads presenting this popular love story, the show woos young audiences, according to the Zeng Ruoming, general manager of Shenzhen Poly Theater. To that end, students can buy cheaper tickets if they present a student ID card.

    A musical with book and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin and music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, the musical had its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester in March 2011. The musical then began its West End premiere in summer 2011. A Broadway transfer opened in April 2012. The show has also toured around the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, South Korea and other parts of the world.

    The present Asian tour, starting here in Shenzhen, will stop in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Qingdao and other cities. The production casts Lucie Jones as Molly Jensen and Liam Doyle as Sam Wheat.

    Jones, whose credits include Cosette in “Les Miserables” at Queens Theater in the West End and roles in British TV series, was a finalist on the “X Factor.”

    “‘Ghost’ is a sad and beautiful story that speaks for itself. Molly has got a lot of going inside her and sometimes she feels really sad,” the actress said at a news briefing last week. “It’s kind of a challenge to bring all the complex feelings she has while singing some tunes that are really high-pitched.”

    Doyle, who trained at Elaine Ferry’s Three Spires Dance School, entered show biz after winning a GMTV competition to find a newcomer to play Troy in the British tour of “High School Musical.” He has also played Link Larkin in “Hairspray,” Eddie in “Mamma Mia” and others.

    The actor said he felt it easy to identify with his role because “the story is touching and love is a universal feeling that everyone can relate to.”

    The plot of the musical centers on lovers Sam and Molly, who are attacked as they are returning to their apartment. When Sam dies, he becomes caught between the real world and the next. Molly is in danger and Sam cannot leave her. A medium, Oda Mae Brown, helps Sam to get in touch with Molly to warn her. When the villain is dealt with and Molly is finally safe, Sam reluctantly says goodbye and once again tells Molly that he loves her.

    “The movie is 25 years old, but the musical is rather new,” said executive director Paul Warwick Griffin.

    “It took 20 years for Bruce Joel Rubin, the original screenwriter of the movie, to be convinced that it was time to translate the essence of this fantastic movie into a live theater experience because the producers have a good way and a good team to do the job.”

    The play has been nominated for multiple Tony and Olivier awards and won a Drama Desk Award for outstanding set design.

    “During the show, there is a scene where Sam walks through a door, which is one of many moments where the modern technology employed wows the audience,” Griffin said.

    “However, despite the fancy images, lavish light displays and super-sized projections, magic and illusions, we have to remember at heart that ‘Ghost’ is a great love story with a theme still valid today. Sitting in the theater with more than 1,000 people to share the live experience and witness magic coming alive is something very different from watching the movie.”

Time: 8 p.m., May 15-22; 3 p.m., May 16

Tickets: 100-980 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater

Metro: Shekou Line, Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

Hotline: 8637-1698/99