Ghost Quartet
A family tragedy, a fairy tale, a murder mystery, and a modern-day heartbreak weave together in a haunting exploration of memory, time, and the real and metaphorical ghosts that linger in our lives.
The show’s eclectic score blends classical, folk, and jazz influences, immersing audiences in a musical experience that feels both intimate and otherworldly. As the characters navigate themes of forgiveness, loss, and redemption, Ghost Quartet defies the boundaries of traditional musical theater, drawing its audience into a space where the past, present, and future collide.
Four multifaceted characters are at the heart of these interwoven tales, each slipping between roles and identities across the narratives. Rose (Veronica Renner), a mystical and determined figure, is locked in a cycle of love and revenge, while Pearl (Monica Slater), her counterpart, charts a path marked by passion and betrayal. The Astronomer (Rinde Eckert) provides a distant, intellectual perspective, and The Fool (Michael Perez), a playful yet poignant trickster, delivers moments of humor and heart. Their stories intertwine unexpectedly and captivatingly, creating a richly layered tapestry.
At once innovative, haunting, and life-affirming, Ghost Quartet offers a unique musical experience that will enchant Bay Area audiences.
“New Performance Traditions is thrilled to partner with the Oakland Theater Project in co-producing Ghost Quartet, said NPT Artistic Director Paul Dresher. Ghost Quartet is a unique and outstanding music-theater work featuring long-time Paul Dresher Ensemble collaborator and extraordinaire Rinde Eckert. Over the past seven years, we've watched Oakland Theater Project grow into one of the Bay Area's most innovative theater companies. The idea of collaborating has long been on the table, so we're incredibly excited to have found the right project to begin what we believe will be a long and extraordinary partnership.”
Paul Dresher has collaborated with Rinde Eckert for over four decades on over fifteen projects, with Rinde taking on varied roles as performer, singer, writer/librettist, and director. These collaborations include large-scale works such as The Way of How (1981, with George Coates Performance Works), the long-running and touring Slow Fire (1985–88), Shelf Life (1987, with the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company), and the intimate Schick Machine (2009), to name just a few. These transformative projects have left a lasting impact on both the collaborators and the audiences who experienced them.
Prepare to be transported by Ghost Quartet’s lyrical poetry, haunting melodies, and magical storytelling—a one-of-a-kind experience that will linger with you long after the final note.
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Ghost Quartet Cast:
Rinde Eckert TENOR piano - organ - slide guitar - percussion (Role: The Astronomer, Monk, Edgar, The Driver)
Monica Rose Slater SOPRANO - glockenspiel - accordion - harp - percussion (Role: Pearl White, Soldier, Lady Usher, The Vitim, Scheherazade)
Veronica Renner ALTO - accordion - autoharp - percussion (Role: Rose Red, Rose/The Photographer, Roxie, Dunyazad)
Michael Perez BARITONE - percussion (Role: The Fool, The Pusher, Shad Zaman, Bear)
Ami Nashimoto SOPRANO - cello - ukulele - erhu - percussion
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2762503-0
