in a way that is my personal truth.”


“It is my job as the actor to tell the story and do so


BREAKING THROUGH TO THE


by tony reverditto Ghost: The Musical, is based on the Oscar-winning movie about Sam


Wheat (as played by the late Patrick Swayze) and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) and Sam’s untimely death involving his so-called best friend. Sam refuses to pass on after learning of his friend’s evil intentions and wants to reach Molly from the other side. To do so, he hilariously channels an unsuspecting “psy- chic” (Whoopi Goldberg) in order to protect his wife. Written and adapted by the original film’s writer, Bruce Joel Rubin, this version


of Ghost: The Musical features spectacular visual and special effects as created by stage and film illusionist Paul Kieve, famous for his work on Harry Potter. Used to illustrate the afterlife, the illusions help to elevate this theatre experience to a whole new level. Inhabiting the role of Sam Wheat is Steven Grant Douglas, whose strong


foundation was built by earning his B.F.A. in musical theatre at University of Minnesota, Duluth, further developing his chops in roles such as Roger in Rent, Princeton in Avenue Q and Radames in Aida.


THE RAGE MONTHLY CAUGHT UP WITH HIM DURING THE TOUR:


What was the audition process like for landing this incredible role? I did 50 auditions before I auditioned for Ghost and the 49th was for a show


called Soul Doctor, which enjoyed a short run on Broadway last summer. The cast- ing team was the same for Ghost and while I was back home doing a production of Avenue Q, I got the call to audition. They wanted me to fly over two days later, but I couldn’t, so they asked me to send a video audition. I did, said a prayer and sent it on its way. They liked it, asked me to come audition in person in New York and a couple weeks later, I got the job.


Now that you’ve made the leap into your first national tour; what was the biggest surprise? 68 RAGE monthly | JULY 2014 RAGE monthly There is nothing that can prepare you for doing a leading role eight shows a


week. We are 250 shows in and I have now figured it out and am able to sustain the week. Naps, hot tea and lots of water all day are my best friends.


It is always daunting to step into an iconic role in an iconic movie starring an iconic actor— how have you made Sam Wheat your own? That was the most intimidating part of this process, I learned very quickly that


I cannot recreate Patrick Swayze’s portrayal. It is my job as the actor to tell the story and do so in a way that is my personal truth. If I am invested in the story the audience becomes invested and the creative team supported me on every level to navigate this character and make it my own.


All of the show’s special effects are astounding, which is your favorite? We have to use a lot of magic and illusions in the show to demonstrate that Sam


is not “of this world.” My favorite, hands down, has to be passing through the door in a breathtaking scene on stage. I feel so privileged every day to do it because only a handful of people know how to do the illusion, which originated in 1895.


Have you ever had an experience of someone trying to contact you from the other side? I have not personally had that experience, but this show has opened me up


mentally, physically and emotionally to a whole new level that I hadn’t reached. When I go home to the hotel and lay down in bed, I make myself receptive to the possibilities of someone I have lost to come through. This would be the perfect time in my life to encounter a ghost!


Ghost: the Musical is playing Tuesday, July 29 through Sunday, August 10 at Segerstrom Center For The Arts, 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For tickets and more information call 714.556.2787 or go to scfta.org.


OTHER SIDE STEVEN GRANT DOUGLAS IN GHOST: THE MUSICAL


photography by joan marcus, featuring steven grant douglas.


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