‘Ghost’ a rare experience

By Mark A. Nobles

Some plays speak to the mind, some to the heart and some hammer the funny bone. Few manage to hit all three in the same evening. “Ghost of a Chance” is that rare theater experience.

Written by Disney veterans Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus (”Beauty and the Beast” and “Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” among others) “Ghost of a Chance” is a touching, funny story of love and redemption. Deftly directed by Plaza veteran Gregory Burton, who helmed the regional premier a decade ago, the play is a roller coaster of emotions from opening to closing.

“I love directing this play because it is equally funny and touching,” said Burton. “It’s a multilayered roller coaster of emotions.”

Recently engaged couple Bethany and Floyd are accompanied by Vera, Floyd’s mother, to a small hunting cabin in the middle of nowhere. The cabin was the retreat of Bethany’s deceased husband, Chance, and she has returned for the first time since his death three years ago to finalize its sale to a new owner.

The small catch is that Chance hasn’t left the premises, and as things move along it becomes apparent he has no intention of giving up either the cabin or his former wife. A free-spirited psychic with problems of her own is brought in to mediate between the living and the dead. Basic, uninterrupted confusion and hilarity ensue.

Aaron Lett displays a wide emotional range as the dearly departed Chance. A self-centered, controlling and mischievous lout at the story’s beginning, Lett slowly pulls back the layers to reveal Chance as a sympathetic character by play’s end.

Amy Atkins as Bethany is in the eye of the hurricane for much of the play and portrays her character with heart and humor. Her interactions between Chance, whom she can see, and Floyd and Vera, who can’t see Chance, is hilarious.

Russ Walker seems born to play the put-down and put-upon Floyd. Walker’s portrayal of the good-hearted Everyman is touching and funny.

Darcy Farrington often steals the spotlight as Floyd’s overbearing mother, Verna. Verna has suffered heartbreak of her own by losing her husband too soon many years ago. She keeps his memory alive and his ashes in an urn that is never too far from reach. Verna converses with the urn so much throughout the play it should be listed as a character in the playbill.

Tammy Rizzo as Amanda Lucas, the mysterious soon-to-be new owner of the cabin, wrings out every bit of nervous comedy from her brief time on stage. Rizzo has a rubber face and terrific comic timing.

Kristen Payne is a whirling dervish as the hippie, gypsy psychic Crystal. Payne is as colorful an actress as her fiery costume. She’ll crack you up then steal your heart before the evening is over.

A fog machine is used a couple of times during the performance, and it’s mechanical whir distracting. This is a small quibble because the rolling thunder of a freight train probably wouldn’t pull you away from the action and strong performances of the actors on stage. The cast is one of the strongest ever assembled at Plaza from top to bottom.

“Ghost of a Chance” is a sturdy reflection of life in general — mostly confusing and sometimes heartbreaking. But finding the humor in life’s trials and tribulations keeps you sane, and best of all, love and redemption are always there for the taking.

It’s not often a theater experience can deliver giggles, guffaws and wispy tears all in the same evening. “Ghost of a Chance” does so. See it while you can.

Plaza’s “Ghost of a Chance” runs through July 19. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, with two performances Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. For information and reservations call 817-202-0600 or visit www.plaza-theatre.com