Whisper House is a strange, but compelling show that recently ended its run at The Old Globe Theatre. Taking place in 1942, the plot is about an 11-year-old boy named Christopher (A.J Foggiano). He goes to live with an estranged aunt, Lilly (Emmy award winning actress Marrie Winningham), a gruff woman who runs a New England lighthouse. Shortly after taking a tour of his new home, Christopher is convinced that there are two ghosts haunting him (Singers Holly Brook and David Poe). They frighten the lad, but the spirits also tell him that a Japanese-immigrant working for Lilly, by the name of Yasuhiro (Arthur Acunna), should not be trusted.

Director Peter Askin does a great job of directing this production.  The set is designed to be a three-story lighthouse with a kitchen and a bedroom. While it is beautiful to look at, the constant use of fog and video projections depicting ghosts add to the eerie and cryptic tone of the play. There is also a “ghost” band that show up from time to time. Instruments that they play include guitars, an electric bass, drums, clarinet, trumpet, and a French horn.

 Every cast member is terrific in their part. A.J Foggiano is convincing as a boy who is intelligent, but also acts too quickly on his instincts. David Poe and Holly Brook do a wonderful job singing, and they are creepy as the two apparitions who constantly spook Christopher. Arthur Acuna is both mysterious and poignant as Yasuhiro, a man who may be a Japanese spy. Ted Koch plays a Sheriff named Charles with an impressive 1940’s accent. Kevin Hoffmann is memorable as Lieutenant Rando, a young and naïve man who is a source of comic relief.  The most captivating performance is Mare Winningham. She portrays Aunt Lilly as a bitter, but sympathetic lady who cares for her nephew’s safety.

Whisper House is considered to be a “play with music”. There are ten rock and roll songs written by Duncan Sheik (the songwriter for Spring Awakening), and they are all sung by the two ghosts who inhabit the lighthouse. Numbers that stand out are a darkly comedic ghost story entitled “The Tale of Solomon Snell”, a moving song about time called “Earthbound Starlight”, a crowd pleasing number that had audience members clapping along named “Play Your Part”, and a curtain call with a musical twist, “Take a Bow.”

Whisper House could have a future, but it is not for everyone’s taste. The performance moves at a slow pace, especially in the opening fifteen minutes. It would probably be best if it started Off Broadway or at a more intimate Broadway theater. It might be better to see how the critics and audiences respond, before taking a huge gamble at a big playhouse.

While Whisper House could be considered to be a small show, the production is intricate and wonderful. The cast, set design, intriguing story, and music make it an original experience.