Ghost Light (Lincoln Center Theater) NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Third Rail Projects, the immersive performance company behind 'Then She Fell' and 'The Grand Paradise,' invites audiences to explore the world on the other side of the proscenium.
Read more Show lessShow-Score Member Reviews (101)
See it if you like interactive theater, love all aspects of theater, esp backstage action
Don't see it if you need a linear plot, dislike ambiguous/unclear scenes
See it if you're ok with atmospheric vignettes taking precedence over plot, and you don't fear a little audience participation
Don't see it if you don't want to be on your feet roaming for 2+ hours, or you're expecting a linear plot - this is no traditional affair
See it if you want to see stunning use of stage and brilliant theatrical devices combine to make a fully satisfying piece of theatre
Don't see it if you can't stand and walk a little
See it if You're a fan of immersive theatre like Sleep No More, Then She Fell, etc.
Don't see it if You want to sit in a seat and watch things happen in front of you. This show requires you to participate for the best experience.
See it if you want a non-traditional theatre experience, like immersive theatre, or are savvy to the interworkings of a theatre company.
Don't see it if you want a traditional theatre experience, hate immersive theatre, don't want to walk around, or aren't interested in movement-based theatre Read more
See it if you've ever worked in a theater or like ghost stories, Borges, or Calvino. You wish Sleep No More had more talking.
Don't see it if Non-linear, non-narrative "experiences" are not your thing; you don't like dance or being separated from your buddies. Read more
See it if You aren't shy about participating in the show, enjoy choreographed scenes. A great mix of acting, dance, and immersive theater.
Don't see it if You need to sit in an audience or need a cohesive story line.
See it if You love the magic of theater an its creation and are willing to be transported into a backstage world ingeniously created here.
Don't see it if You cannot endure some repetition of themes and/or despise any audience interaction, even if appropriate and minimal.
Critic Reviews (16)
“I think they’re trying to speak to the universality of theatre, but somehow get sidelined into the generic. Which is a shame because there are plenty of moments imbued with magic…About halfway through I realized it was just a series of pastiches and wasn’t going to offer more than that…I do feel like there was a through-line, or a central conceit, missing. I think perhaps they got a little stuck on the concept of ghosts.”
Read more
“There is more to ‘Ghost Light’ than an impressive feat of coordination…The show takes its cues from the elaborate and oft-mystical theatrical lore…The cleverness of one monologue suggested to me how much more ‘Ghost Light’ could have taken advantage of the centuries’ worth of words that is as much a part of theatrical legacy as its ghosts…Third Rail’s effective and engaging evocation of life in the theater is such a terrific idea that they could take it on the road.”
Read more
"The intention is clear—or seems to be for much of the time. Morris and Willett want to acquaint ticket buyers with what they don’t ordinarily see...That’s all well and good—and even amusing from time to time. But it doesn’t explain the interludes where some cast members break into song or into dance routines...Often with immersive theater, a curious effect takes hold...The result too frequently is that the silent audience members become awkwardly docile...It’s not a flattering circumstance."
Read more
"The split-second timing of the choreography is astonishingly impressive...While I enjoyed their individual glimpses into how shows get put together it's hard to connect those scenes into a satisfying narrative...We all came together in the end for a finale that stretched on a bit too long. But despite the above carps, I still left the theater with a smile on my face. What can I tell you. It's impossible for someone like me to resist this kind of theatrical magic."
Read more
"An unpredictable journey through nearly every nook and cranny of the Claire Tow...The two-hour show has a premise involving ghosts that never quite comes to fruition, but most everything else is a complete blast...In many ways, it’s like a miniature 'Sleep No More,' except you can’t follow your own path. 'Ghost Light' shines a fun and fascinating light on the creation of theater, mysterious ghosts and all."
Read more
"Third Rail and Lincoln Center? It’s an alliance that sounds unholy at first blush, but ultimately proves felicitous...Some of the segments evolve into indulgent performance art pieces that unnecessarily bog down 'Ghost Light'...On the other hand, Third Rail is more liberal here letting audience members 'get our hands dirty,' something I wasn’t anticipating...What theatergoer wouldn’t be enticed by a backstage pass to this opulent venue, seasoned with just a touch of the supernatural?"
Read more
"The most powerful parts of the experience are the intimate monologues, when we sit with performers who describe one moment: maybe it's the writing of a scene, maybe it's the moment a needy actor thinks back on her roles. 'Ghostlight' is enthralling not only because it brings us inside the warren of rooms normally off-limits to the audience—but because it also brings us inside the minds and hearts of the actors and playwrights and ushers who inhabit them."
Read more
“Third Rail was originally the project of a group of dancers, and several hit shows later that pedigree is still evident; the ensemble privileges physical theater, treating language as an afterthought. But my favorite parts are the most verbal…A collaboration among many craftspeople with diverse skills. For two hours it keeps you so busy running and climbing, fielding flying props and taking orders from people you’ve barely met, that you manage to forget the mess in the outside world.”
Read more