"Ghost Quartet" by Theatre Elision at the Overlook at Fort Snelling

Minnesota Fringe may be over, but adventurous art continues! For their 8th production of the Dave Malloy song cycle Ghost Quartet, Theatre Elision is moving outdoors, telling this fun and sometimes spooky ghost story under the sky and stars. This is my 5th time seeing this show (including last year's all-star cast reunion), and I like it better every time. Rather than one straight-forward narrative, the songs weave together four stories that intersect and overlap in what could be confusing ways if you think about it too much. But it's such a great example of storytelling and world-building through song, and adding the element of Nature only makes it better. But they only have 4 more performances, and all are free (although they request that you register, and happily accept donations). Head to the historic Fort Snelling, a site that has plenty dark history and ghosts (as music director Harrison Ford noted in his pre-show speech), for some music-theater magic. And make plans to continue on the Dave Malloy journey with Theatre Elision - they've got three more of his shows on the schedule, including a remount of the sold out Great Comet, and two regional premieres!

Ghost Quartet features a couple dozen songs introduced by side and track number (with a little dialogue) that combine the stories of the fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red, Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, Sheherazade from One Thousand and One Nights, and the true story of someone pushed in front of a NYC subway. There are a couple of recurring characters that we follow through time, space, and stories. Mainly Rose and her sister/daughter/lover Pearl. They appear in various forms, along with teenager Roxy and her baby, who may also be these characters. It defies description, but the stories truly are woven together cleverly and beautifully. 

The setting of this production is a small amphitheater (with concrete steps, and a lawn area for blanket and bring-your-own-chair seating) overlooking the Mississippi River. The quartet is comprised of alums from previous productions (Billy Medina-Gleason, Emily Hensley, Hawken Paul, and Christine Wade), all of them playing multiple stringed and percussive instruments, with music director Harrison Wade on keys and stage direction by Lindsay Fitzgerald. They're seated in such a way that the overlook is their backdrop, along with the changing color of the sky as the sun sets on the left. The show ends after sunset, the string of blinking light bulbs and colored spotlights creating a campfire effect perfect for a ghost story.

At this point these performers are experts at singing and playing this interesting and varied score, with some gorgeous harmonies, haunting melodies, and upbeat tunes, but yet also perform with energy and emotion. The sound system is pretty good for an outdoor space, as the performers occasionally walk amongst the audience. The usual participation in this show is reduced a bit (no whiskey as this is a public park), but they do pass out egg shakers and other noise makers to bring us all into the festivities, particularly on the moving final song, as the music and lights fade into darkness.

If you've never seen Ghost Quartet before, this is a great introduction to the piece. And if you have seen it, one or a dozen times before, this is a totally new way to experience it. The elements of Nature surrounding us heighten the effect the music-theater ghostly storytelling.

photo credit: Instagram @cherryandspoon
(we were encouraged to take photos during the show!)