MY SPIRITS SOAR
This opening night was an entirely new experience for me. In all my years of reviewing theatre, and even simply attending shows as an appreciative audience member, (my parents took me to plays, musicals, dance shows, circuses, ice shows, and concerts practically since I was born!, ) I had never even heard of the Group Rep Theatre before! I’ve recently learned that it’s been in existence for fifty-two years, so I’m glad to have finally made its acquaintance.
The artwork, created by Doug Haverty, for Group Rep’s upcoming production of Our Town. Photo by Karen Salkin.
The occasion of my visit was the opening of an original musical, My Spirits Soar, which is based on Oscar Wilde’s famous 1887 short story, The Canterville Ghost. Any entertainment that features a ghost is appropriate for this time of year, which includes Halloween month. (Yes, Halloween is a whole month now!!!)
Since it was my first time at Group Rep, let me begin with my impressions of the theatre itself. The woman in the box office, Julie Davis, was adorable to us, and the “ticket checker,” Tiffany Rothman, (who is a member of the company,) was really nice, as well. (Fashion note: She had the best outfit of the night, and was kind enough to share her shopping secrets with me!)
The program art for their next offering, the famous play Our Town, is stunning. (I would be proud to have the artwork on my wall at home!) The lobby snacks are beyond affordable, there are tables out front at which to relax before the show or during intermission, and the parking is very easy. I can’t think of any other theatre that provides all of those positives. (And on a grateful media note, the press kit was truly the nicest one I’ve ever caught sight of, with something I’ve never seen done before—the poster on the front of it was stapled on instead of glued, so that we can use the shiny folder for another purpose if we so choose. I say thank you on behalf of all us reviewers!)
The much-appreciated press kit. Photo by Karen Salkin.
All those flowers being given, I must still be honest and admit that I was not a fan of the production we were there to see. I’ll explain a few of my thoughts in a moment, but I also have to share that my friend, Marc, along with some others in the opening night audience, seemed to really enjoy it. Marc said he liked some of the songs, and I noticed him laughing at about a third of the action.
But we agreed that My Spirits Soar, at over two hours and forty minutes, is waaay too long, and at least half an hour should be cut from it. A lot of the scenes and songs get repetitive. The company needs to remember that this show is based on a short story, not a tome! Perhaps, as the run goes on, and the actors begin to perfect their performances, the musical will start to go faster.
As far as the writing goes, I found a lot of the script confusing. All the characters’ intentions need to be a lot crisper. (For example, the student, played by Abigail Stewart, has been rejecting the Duke who owns the castle, played by Casey Alcoser, and doesn’t seem to be into him at all. And then, as she is turning him down one more time, she grabs him and kisses him, seemingly out of nowhere! We never see her shift into liking him romantically, not even one little bit. And all the characters seem to against the ghost, but all of a sudden they’re in cahoots with him. How did that happen?!)
Savannah Mortenson and Kevin Spirtas. Photo by Caitlin Mae Smith, as is the one at the top of this review.
And although Marc liked the “Hugh Hefner bathrobe” being rocked by the ghost, the wardrobe, in general, (especially on the “American girl” lead,) needs a lot of work.
There are two stand-outs in the production. Savannah Mortenson who, as the long-deceased female ghost is unfortunately not in that much of the show, has by far the best singing voice of the cast. And acting-wise, Kevin Spirtas, as Charles, the ghost who owns and haunts the castle in which all the action takes place, is not only handsome but draws the most mirth from the crowd.
So there you have it—the yin-and-yang of my first Group Rep experience. I always believe in supporting little theatres around town, so I’ll be back, despite not being a fan of this presentation.
My Spirits Soar running through November 2, 2025
The Group Rep Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd., NoHo
818-763-5990 www.thegrouprep.com
