Boundary-Breaking Journey Across Time and Identity – a Work in Progress at Magic Theatre
GhostRave, presented as a workshop production by TigerBear Productions at Magic Theatre, invites audiences to “Club Timesend” in San Francisco’s South of Market district, where theatre, rave culture, and immersive storytelling converge. Written, directed, and produced by Jerome Joseph Gentes, with music direction by Sharon Shao and an electrifying score by composer and DJ Brandon M.P. Roberts, this indigiqueer electronic opera explores time, space, and culture with a unique blend of energy and innovation.
The story follows Chayson, an indigiqueer bike messenger from 1990s San Francisco, who is transported to the 1890 Ghost Dance in western Nevada by the legendary Trickster, Coyote. Together, they embark on a journey where Chayson meets Indigenous beings and spirits, while themes of hope, despair, and identity come to life. Roberts’ music is central to the experience, using harmonic mixing and beat-matching techniques that turn the performance space into a pulsating dance floor, blending electronic beats with storytelling that feels both personal and universal.
As a work in progress, GhostRave embraces a casual, experimental style that lets actors carry scripts, giving the production an open, flexible atmosphere. Running around two hours, the show could benefit from an intermission to allow audiences a brief pause and, potentially, some trimming—about 15 minutes—to keep the pace tight and engaging. Despite its workshop nature, the cast and crew deliver a rich performance, with W. Fran Astorga as Chayson, Dany Benitez as Coyote, and Justin P. Lopez as Gabriel/Okaga anchoring the story with impressive depth and presence.
Under Shao’s music direction, the musical numbers shine as highlights, especially songs like “Everywhere But Here,” “Want To Dance,” and “Vocabulary,” which bring emotional intensity and skill to the production. Projection design by Carlos-Antonio Aceves, lighting by Desired Effect, and sound mixing by Finn Roy further elevate the atmosphere, creating an immersive dance-club ambiance where the audience is encouraged to sit, stand, or dance as they please.
Produced by the team behind Unbound and Deal With The Dragon, TigerBear Productions uses this workshop run to test and refine GhostRave. Audience feedback will shape the production’s future, helping to craft an even more immersive experience that blends indigiqueer identity, music, and community engagement in innovative ways.
GhostRave is a daring, boundary-pushing experience that blurs the lines between opera, theatre, and dance club. With further refinement, it has the potential to become a groundbreaking production that challenges and delights audiences with its bold approach to storytelling.
