Ghost Light

Photo: Carla Bellisio

Desi Moreno-Penson's new thriller, well acted and flawlessly directed, shoulders its way into the world of Hollywood and the theater while trying to carry the weight of the occult as well (just in time for Halloween), thus tripping through our two most culturally potent lands of make-believe. Though it doesn't fully succeed as horror, Ghost Light accomplished something rare for me: it made me feel like a kid afterwards, thinking through the plot, trying to work out what really happened and what underlay it all. The story isn't just fantastical; it also fails to make complete sense. But in what matters most the play succeeds overall: it entertains and makes you think. It's a nice way to begin hacking your way into the Halloween season.