“Ghost Light” by Greg Cummings

“Ghost Light,” which just finished its month-long stint at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, explores the murders of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone by delving into the tremulous relationship between Moscone and his son, Jonathan Moscone.  Written by Tony Taccone, the play takes a very intimate perspective due to the fact that the mayor’s son himself directs it.  It made it’s debut at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival last summer and has only gained attention since.

As TheaterMania said of the play, “There’s a good balance between humor and drama, with certain moments packing such a powerful punch that they are likely to reduce audience members to tears…the production is so well-realized, and serves as both a fitting tribute to the former Mayor of San Francisco and a more universalized meditation on loss.”  In line with that idea, the play also does an excellent job in approaching the various relationships affected by loss.  It explores the emotions of a city when its leader is rudely taken and the problems of a son struggling to understand his father’s passing.

The production is so well-realized, and serves as both a fitting tribute to the former Mayor of San Francisco and a more universalized meditation on loss.

While the play doesn’t deal with death directly or forcefully, it gets to the genuine core of the matter by drawing upon the complexities surrounding a death long after the loved one has passed.  With its humor, the play successfully embraces a variety of emotional conditions and makes light of seemingly serious life events.  In this way, “Ghost Light” has universal appeal.

On a side note, you might find it interesting to know that the term “ghost light” comes from the theater world in reference to the one light they leave on even when the stage is dark.  The superstition still stands that a light should be lit so that no people or spirits trip in the dark backstage.  It also prevents the stage from ever going dark and or lifeless.  With that in mind, the play should surely have some resonance with those reflecting on both life and death.