Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of Fountain Hills Theater

Released theatrically on July 13, 1990, “Ghost” grossed more than $12 million during its debut weekend on its way to an eventual $500 million worldwide. In addition to becoming the highest-earning film of that year, it was nominated for five Academy Awards and, for the past three decades, has maintained a place on many cinephiles’ lists of the most romantic movies of all time.

“I certainly remember seeing the movie when it was in theaters,” says Peter J. Hill, who recently celebrated his 30th year as artistic and technical director of Fountain Hills Theater. “I think we all do. I saw it with my wife, who is a pragmatist if there ever was one. You do not find her romanticizing anything, yet she loves ‘Ghost.’”

Perhaps most well-known for a scintillating scene during which the late Patrick Swayze guides Demi Moore’s hands on a pottery wheel, the film tells the story of a murdered banker, Sam (Swayze), whose ghost sets out to save his girlfriend, Molly (Moore), from the person who killed him with the help of a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg).

In 2011, a musical inspired by the film had its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House in England before opening on Broadway the following year — and closing just a few months later.

“New York audiences did not particularly take to it, but it has had a really strong life at regional theaters ever since then,” says Hill, comparing “Ghost: The Musical’s” trajectory to the musical adaptation of “The Addams Family” and noting that some productions simply resonate more deeply and find their true homes with audiences beyond the Broadway stage.

This month, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Fountain Hills Theater will bring “Ghost: The Musical” to life for audiences here in Arizona. Hill describes the musical’s score as “pop-flavored” and “very today,” with modern rhythms and gospel numbers adding depth to the narrative.

Of course, one of them is “Unchained Melody” — the iconic song that has become synonymous with the film. But beyond the catchy tunes and undeniable romantic charm, Hill believes that it is the story’s exploration of life after death that truly resonates with audiences.

“I think that is a big part of it,” he muses. “We all want to believe that love continues on even after we are gone. And they get it right by not being saccharine about it. If you know the movie, then you know that Molly is the more romantic of the two. When she says, ‘I love you,’ Sam simply says, ‘Ditto.’ It is that lack of [forced romance] that makes it feel more real and therefore more fulfilling.”

Of course, bringing the cinematic spectacle of “Ghost” to life on the intimate stage of Fountain Hills Theater presents a unique set of challenges.

“This is an enormously difficult show,” Hill readily admits. “It is full of magic. Ghosts come and go, people walk through walls and we even have to bring a subway onto the stage. There are an awful lot of things that are going to tax us. From elevators to projections, it is going to stretch all of our abilities — but our staff here loves a challenge.”

“Our theater is known for doing these insanely technical shows in a very small space. We flew a helicopter in ‘Miss Saigon,’ we flew a car in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and we sent Grizabella to the Heaviside Layer in ‘Cats,’ so we have pulled off some pretty amazing technical things and this show is going to be great. Our audience is going to love it.”

“Ghost: The Musical” sits at the heart of Fountain Hills Theater’s current season, which could be best described as a celebration of cinema reimagined. From “The Addams Family,” “Shakespeare in Love” and “Elf” to its upcoming world premiere of a musical inspired by “The Great Gatsby,” this season’s roster has been weaving stories from the silver screen into tapestries of live performance.

The season culminates this spring with “Mack and Mabel,” a love story inspired by Hollywood’s Golden Age, further echoing the theme of cinematic inspiration.

But before then, Hill hopes that audiences will allow Fountain Hills Theater to weave its magic around them as the curtain rises on an enduring love story that transcends the boundaries of life and death. Perhaps even more so than the film that inspired it, due to the intimacy, immediacy and technical wizardry of live performance, “Ghost: The Musical” is certain to leave theatergoers spellbound and their hearts brimming with hope.

“Ghost: The Musical”
Feb. 2–18 // See website for times // Fountain Hills Theater // 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills // $35; youth, student and senior discounts available // fhtaz.org