Producer Scott Ihrig joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about the exciting new musical adaptation of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is clearly a timeless story with universal themes of love and loss. How do you see the show evolving ahead of its 2026 production?
The Ghost and Mrs Muir is an epic romance. It’s a story of love beyond all reason and logic. It’s also a story of empowerment and self-determination – of women making choices for themselves and their own families and own lives. These are timeless themes that seem all the more timely today as rights that we have grown up with – especially for women around the world – are under attach.
As we move to a 2026 commercial production, we are working to make sure we have captured these themes in ways that are true to the story and also resonate with a modern audience.
The musical’s score has been composed by Carmel Dean. What is the role of music in this production, and how does it amplify the themes of love and loss within the story?
Music is at the heart of the story. It is through song that we gain insight into Lucy Muir and ghost Daniel Gregg and – and all of our other characters. The music connects with audiences on an emotional level that prose alone doesn’t reach.
The story of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is widely regarded as a timeless romance. What do you believe makes this particular love story resonate with modern audiences?
First and foremost, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a love story. It’s an epic romance – a story of love beyond all reason and logic. It’s also a story of empowerment and self-determination – of women making choices for themselves and their own families and own lives.
Both of these themes – love and freedom – resonate with everyone. And they are particularly resonant today when our right to love and our freedoms are under attack throughout the world.
Could you tell us a bit about the collaboration between the creative team in adapting this story for the stage?
We have a stellar creative team adapting The Ghost and Mrs. Muir into a musical. Grammy nominated Carmel Dean is writing the music and lyrics, and award-winning playwright Penny Faith the book. Working both remotely and in person, these two women bring their experience of telling the stories of great women to this collaboration.
As The Ghost and Mrs. Muir moves toward a full stage production in 2026, what are you most excited about in terms of bringing this musical to audiences? What do you hope they take away from the experience?
We hope audiences have a great time at The Ghost and Mrs Muir. Now more than ever, we need spaces and stories and art that are uplifting – that simply make us happy. We also hope everyone is inspired by the love our characters seek and find – and their search for freedom.
This musical has a strong emotional core, which could resonate deeply with audiences across generations. How do you plan to keep the production relevant for future audiences while remaining true to the spirit of the original story?
First and foremost, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a love story. It’s an epic romance – a story of love beyond all reason and logic. It’s also a story of empowerment and self-determination – of women making choices for themselves and their own families and own lives.
Both of these themes – love and freedom – resonate with everyone. Throughout society, we have been facing these themes since the time of Lucy Muir – and will continue to face them long into the future.
What excites you most about the potential of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir to become a beloved, iconic production in the world of musical theatre?
We’re excited to bring this story of epic love and quest for freedom to a new, broader audience. People all the world over tell us of their connections with the book and other adaptations of the story. Being able to tell a story so many know in a new, gorgeous way exciting.