Over 20 years after that iconic pottery scene and the tragic love story between a dead man and a woman in mourning; ‘Ghost’ has been re-born, adapted for the stage and filled with music and memories.
Fronting the cast is the multi-talented Australian star Rob ‘Millsy’ Mills, who rose to fame on ‘Australian Idol’ in 2003.
‘Ghost: The Musical’ is based on the 1990 film, which was the highest-grossing of that year. It tells the story of Sam and Molly, who move into a New York apartment to live together. On their way home from a date, Molly and Sam are confronted by an attacker, who mugs them and leaves Sam dead on the dark street. But he remains on earth as a ghost, but is unable to be seen or heard.
Sam eventually meets a con-artist medium named Oda Mae, who discovers she can actually hear him. Together, they try to convince Molly of Sam’s continued existence in the after-life.
Sam eventually meets a con-artist medium named Oda Mae, who discovers she can actually hear him. Together, they try to convince Molly of Sam's continued existence in the after-life.Played by Patrick Swayze in the film, this production will see Rob take to the stage as Sam. “I don’t really look at it as Patrick Swayze’s role,” Rob says. “I just look at it as playing Sam Wheat. Although he was an incredible actor and did a great job.
“What I like most about his performance is that there’s a great vulnerability. As a great acting coach said to me a few years ago, to show your strength as a lead male actor, it’s best to show your vulnerability. So, I’ll be looking at the ways that I can relate to the character.”Rob carries with him an impressive list of experiences since his Idol win in 2003, establishing his career in musical theatre by starring in such stage performances as: ‘Grease’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Hair’ and more. He’s also hosted Australia’s ‘Young Talent Time’ and appeared on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’.
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“I think why I love musicals is that it’s the music that takes the emotion of the scenes to the next level. I think in every good musical, that’s what it does. When you can’t say the words you want to say anymore, you sing them.
“I think auditions get a little easier,” he says of his continued success as a performer. “I always tell kids that you have to get confident performing in front of an audience that really gives you no feedback.”
The show, which opens in Adelaide in January before visiting Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, will definitely be a spectacle, with special effects aplenty.
“I get to walk right through a door,” Rob laughs. “The special effects are pretty good in the film, but in this musical they’re even better... I think it’s going to be something we’ve never seen before in this country... No expense has been spared with the magic.”Rob stars alongside Jemma Rix, who, among other things, defied gravity in the Australasian production of ‘Wicked’ between 2008 and 2015 – a solid run. “She’s just phenomenal,” Rob gushes. “She’s got this perfect pop rock voice, I can’t wait for us to get into it.”
And that famous pottery scene in the film? Don't worry; it's in the musical too. “They use 'Unchained Melody' in it, I play that on guitar and sing it to Molly,” Rob says. “I try and woo her after not saying 'I love you'.”
And that famous pottery scene in the film? Don’t worry; it’s in the musical too. “They use ‘Unchained Melody’ in it, I play that on guitar and sing it to Molly,” Rob says. “I try and woo her after not saying ‘I love you’.”The rest of the music in the production is a mixture of ballads and upbeat rock, reflecting on what’s happening during the show. There’s also a upbeat gospel track made especially for Oda Mae Brown – Rob’s personal favourite.
“Music really takes the emotion of the scenes to the next level, and judging by the score and the soundtrack, it really encapsulates the best moments of the movie.”
Although the film is a mixing bowl of unrequited love, drama and fantasy, Rob also says it’s important that there’s a bit of laughter to break it up. “It’s got some really great comedy between Oda Mae and Sam, people always remember the ‘oh, my love, my darling’ bit, but they often forget how funny Whoopi [Goldberg] is as that character,” he says.
Preparing for the show’s run, which ends around the middle of 2016, Rob says working on his skills and taking lessons in his free time has given him confidence to deliver as brilliant a performance as possible. “It’s about being confident enough in yourself to know that you’ve done the work... I’ve spent the last seven years in musical theatre, learning how to do eight shows a week and learning the discipline of it.
“Going to see as many shows as possible really helps, as well as writing your own show.”
Writing your own show is something not every actor has the time or talent to do, but somehow Rob pulled it off in June, with ‘Rob Mills Is... Surprisingly Good’ – a one-man cabaret that toured the country. Now graced with the opportunity to play Sam in ‘Ghost’, Rob imagines what he’d get up to if he were a ghost for a day. “I just love the idea of flying, just being able to fly around,” he laughs. “I’d probably scare some people, play some practical jokes, move stuff around the office.”
Reflecting on the extravagant production itself, Rob assures that ‘Ghost’ is something Australian audiences will find it hard to forget. “Seeing something live, you just can’t beat it... It’s going to be tremendous... As far as spectacles go, the last thing that was specky was ‘Wicked’. The use of sets and lighting, this show takes it to the next level. The use of those LED screens, and magic, and lighting.”
Ghost Tour Dates
From 7 January – Adelaide Festival CentreFrom 5 February – Regent Theatre (Melbourne)
From 18 March – Theatre Royal (Sydney)
From 21 May – Crown (Perth)
