Musical "Ghost" in Munich: What a beautiful haunting!

Just like in the movie: Pottery is also used in the musical "Ghost". © Nico Moser

The musical "Ghost" celebrates its acclaimed premiere at the Deutsches Theater in Munich. The cult film "Ghost - Message from Sam" with Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg served as a template.

It suddenly becomes strangely tight in the throat. You swallow, your eyes get wet. What is this? Especially since the action on stage could hardly be kitschy: Sam goes into a dazzling light. "I love you," he says before disappearing into the light. "Ditto," Molly calls after him. The ending of the musical "Ghost" leaves hardly anyone cold, a furtive glance into the circle of the Deutsches Theater confirms it. Then it gets dark, the lights are out – and the premiere audience on Tuesday evening erupts in loud cheers.

Now it is always risky to bring films with cult status to the stage as musicals. The expectations of the visitors are high, everyone associates their own memories with the original. "Ghost", which is based on the 1990 blockbuster starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg as medium Oda Mae Brown and is shown here in a new production by Manuel Schmitt, (almost) works out. On this evening, there are only deductions for the unbalanced sound technology: Especially when the choir sings, the sometimes snappy playback music covers the live singing, which becomes a uniform noise. Which is unfortunate, after all, except for the "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers, all lyrics have been translated into German. By the way, the music for the musical by Glen Ballard was written by Dave Stewart, who was once Eurythmics with Annie Lennox.

The ensemble is convincing throughout

And every single voice deserves to be heard: The ensemble is convincing throughout, Sam actor Thomas Hohler is a pleasure to listen to, as is Kim-David Hammann as his murderous friend Carl, who knows how to convincingly portray his false friendliness as well as his deep despair.

Katrin Merkl sings Molly with a somewhat shrill, squeaky soprano at the beginning, but is able to make up a lot of ground with her credible playing. She harmonizes with her Sam – the duets of the two are wonderfully clear and seem real and intimate at all times. The secret star of the evening, however, is Louisa Heiser as medium Oda Mae Brown. A hilarious force of nature, as she whirls across the stage, acting with everything she has, body, gestures, facial expressions and a huge joy of playing. Oh yes, this little big woman can sing too!

So that the love story about Sam and Molly doesn't sink hopelessly into the nineties, everyone handles smartphones, the business people wear turtlenecks with suits, and the stage design resembles a game design at first glance. It consists of huge sliding elements installed on several levels, which, thanks to a sophisticated lighting concept and ingenious choreography, switch between loft, subway, street and office at breathtaking speed, giving the action additional dynamism and flexibility.

The musical sets its own accents

The quiet moments with Molly's grief, which are told in pleasant silence and create a touching closeness in the audience, seem like small islands. As a highlight, one might have expected the famous pottery scene: you know – the one in which Sam as a ghost works on a lump of clay together with Molly very intimately. It seems more like a quote here. A wise decision: With a focus on Sam and Molly's redemption, the musical sets its own accents that spare fans of the film disappointment. Handkerchiefs and waterproof mascara are recommended in any case.

Until May 21, 2023; www.deutsches-theater.de.