The Killing Ghost – A Killer Comedy!
A Murderous Ghost at The Empty Space Theatre?
By Thomas G. Robinson
The Empty Space Theatre has a new show currently on the main stage. The Killing Ghost opened last weekend and runs for two more weekends, closing on Saturday, September 4th.
Written by James Kopp with some new material added by Matt Christensen, The Killing Ghost is a new show that’s not so new.
Matt Christensen says, “Having done the first run of The Killing Ghost, I decided to use that as the basis for the first show I have ever directed, but I knew it needed some work as it was written based around the All the King’s Players humor back in 1999 and 2000. I got the first two scripts from James and went to work at the beginning of 2009 combining the two and cleaning up the narrative to make everything added to it work with what already existed”.
Was it hard working at The Empty Space? “The Empty Space best resembles the first location where the play was performed back in 1999, Stone Soup. Namely it’s being done in a 3/4 thrust”, Matt continues, “With the amount of people on stage on average during the show, it is a little daunting for the audience to try and see everything that’s going on. So the 3/4 set up allows focus to be given to certain people at certain times and if they like the show, they can come back and sit in another location to see something else.”
Thor Reese is the male lead in the play. This is his first time as the male lead. When I asked him about that, he responded, “This is my first time as the lead in the show, and I’m sure it will be the best thing you have ever seen, if not my name is Billie Joe Fox”, he added, “I have worked really hard to give a great performance, and I hope everyone enjoys it. If they don’t they can feel free to meet me out in the parking lot after the show and we will have a Street Fighter 4 throw down and I’ll show them who the man is then!”
One of the female leads is actually played by man! Theatre veteran Norm Colwell is the very funny Mrs. Pierce. I asked him about this role and how he prepared to play a woman. Norm replied, “It’s challenging. I just wonder if I have any consistency doing it. I watch the other female actors on stage, Jennie and Lindsey to see what they do and try to copy some of those things. I then try to incorporate my own things and improvs to the character. I have to use my diaphragm to get the voice down and it’s been a challenge there too as I’m trying to make sure that I’m loud enough while doing it. Overall, it’s fun. I haven’t done anything like this (dressing up as a woman) since I was 7 or 8.”
The Killing Ghost, an original comedy mystery, is at The Empty Space Theatre at 706 Oak Street in Bakersfield, CA. Performances are August 27th, 28th and September 3rd and 4th starting at 8:00 PM. While this is a donation based theatre, meaning all primetime shows are free, there is a suggested donation of $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. For reservations or more information, please call 327-PLAY
