‘Ghost’ on stage in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines  – Hollywood movie “Ghost” is adapted into a stage musical.

Does the adaptation stay faithful to the original film?

G Töngi reports.

Atlantis Productions opens it’s 2014 Season with Ghost the Musical, adapted from the 1990 Oscar Winning Feature film Ghost starring Demi Moore & Patrick Swayze about everlasting love, even in the afterlife.

The musical features original music by Grammy awardees Dave Stewart & Glen Ballard. In an exclusive sneak peak, the cast performs Suspend My Belief, led with by pop star Christian Bautista as Sam and theater Actress Cris Villonco as Molly.

CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA, THEATER ACTOR AND TV PERSONALITY: Yes. I just found out that my best friend backstabbed me, that my best friend arranged the murder. Who does that? Di ba? (Right?) Why are you doing that? I gave you everything. And now pala you want to kill me, get my girl, get the money, get my job. What did I do? So it’s all like I’m lost, you know? How could you do this to me? So that’s the end of act 1, and then everything else unfolds in act 2.

This is Villonco’s third collaboration with Atlantis. She says the music makes the stage version of Ghost a sensual experience.

CRIS VILLONCO, THEATER ACTRESS: I really hope because it’s seen live, it’s more intimate, it’s more in-your-face, it’s all of that combined. And the music of Dave stewart and Glen ballard is, it’s really quite beautiful. It’s a whole other ball game and a whole other story. So I couldn’t even help but tear up because it’s, it’s so beautiful.

Seasoned theater actor Hans Eckstein joins the production as Carl. Eckstein says romantics will enjoy the musical.

HANS ECKSTEIN, THEATER ACTOR: If anyone is a hopeless romantic, I like to think i am, then they should watch this show. It’s just a beautiful story about love, and how it just love conquers all, and you know, that even beyond death, you know, love still conquers all.

Part of the plot is the character that Whoopi Goldberg portrays in the film. Ima Castro takes up the role of Oda Mae for the stage. Castro says Director Bobby Garcia’s version of the musical stage adaptation stays true to the film version.

IMA CASTRO, THEATER ACTRESS: And it’s a pretty much like the the film. We tried to be true to what the film told us, you see. And so we have iconic roles, obviously, Oda Mae, and iconic lines in the show. So you will really recognize so many scenes from the film on stage and also the tricks. We love magic. So, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy that. The audiences will enjoy that.

A powerhouse cast that will make you believe In love, in fate, in forever.
G Töngi, Rappler Manila. – Rappler.com