Tissues at the ready, this is a must-see for musical theatre fans…

Since Dubai Opera opened in August 2016, we’ve unashamedly cried our eyes out at Les Mis and Evita, laughed out loud at Mary Poppins and got all the festive feels with an annual trip to the Jingle Bell Favourites concert. So we were curious to see how Ghost: The Musical would fare among them.

Based on the Oscar-winning 90s film starring Demi Moore (Molly) and the late Patrick Swayze (Sam), this is a tale of love and life after loss. After Sam is murdered in what appears to be a random mugging gone wrong, Molly is left heartbroken and lost. That is until Sam, stuck between this life and the next, enlists the help of storefront psychic Oda-Mae to find his killer and keep Molly out of danger.

From start to finish, Sam and Molly deliver a credible performance with great chemistry, and their powerhouse voices impress from the opening number Here Right Now. Aside from Unchained Melody, the songs aren’t the sort you sing along to, which is where we feel slightly left out as the audience. But with the musical delivering emotionally-charged hit after hit, as the audience, you’ll likely be reaching for the tissues rather than the microphone.

The overall production is impressive, with the show moving from scene to scene with neat and seamless ease, much of which is owed to the supporting cast.

The undoubtable star of the show is Oda Mae. Whoopi Goldberg’s shoes may be a hefty pair to fill, but that’s exactly what Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mae does, and then some.

You’ll be laughing from the first line she delivers, and it’s no surprise to see her receive the loudest standing ovation as the curtain comes down.

Ghost at Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, until Saturday October 13, from Dhs250. Tel: (04) 4408888. dubaiopera.com

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