The Catamounts stage ‘Ghost Quartet,’ a haunting, immersive musical weaving tales (and whiskey!) across centuries and genres.

Some shows entertain, some provoke, and then there are the rare few that haunt you. Ghost Quartet is the latter — a mesmerizing journey through love, betrayal and the stories that connect us across time.

In its Colorado premiere of Dave Malloy’s genre-defying song cycle, The Catamounts deliver an ambitious production that defies easy categorization. It is an immersive, complex and emotionally resonant theatrical experience that lingers long after the final note fades.

At its heart, this production succeeds in crafting an evocative mosaic of storytelling, where fragments of fairy tales, gothic tragedies and modern fables collide. The non-linear structure might be confounding at times, but the raw emotionality and musicality of the piece allow it to transcend narrative clarity. The Cats have taken this challenging material and transformed it into an evening of bold, boundary-pushing theater that both moves and mesmerizes.

Neyla Pekarek in ‘Ghost Quartet’ | Photo: Michael Ensminger Photography

Haunted parlor of tales

From the moment you step into the transformed Carson Theater at Boulder’s Dairy Center, it’s clear this production is a masterwork of creative vision and meticulous care. The Cats have reimagined the space into an intimate parlor, discarding the typical proscenium layout in favor of an immersive seating arrangement. Antique sofas, floor cushions and bar stools encircle a stage cluttered with trunks and instruments, create the aesthetic of the coolest (albeit slightly haunted) garage sale you’ve ever seen.

The design team led by director Amanda Berg Wilson, technical director Aaron Klass, production manager Lara Maerz and stage manager Rain Young works wonders in crafting this otherworldly environment. Gleason Bauer’s scenic and costume design strikes a perfect balance between functionality and whimsy. The cluttered set feels lived-in yet magical, while the costumes allow seamless transitions between characters without losing their evocative edge.

Monica Bowker’s lighting design bathes the theater in a warm glow, with flickering lamps and candlelight enhancing the production’s ethereal quality. Jess Jewell’s meticulous sound design stitches together the stories and music with precision, amplifying the otherworldly intimacy of the show.

Unique hospitality

The immersive atmosphere is enhanced by the unique hospitality offered during the performance. Upon entering, you’re greeted with tea (and even a refill), setting the tone for the cozy communal experience. About halfway through, whiskey is served — adding a cheeky, thematic nod to the production’s indulgent storytelling.

Berg Wilson’s staging is inventive, inviting performers to weave through the audience. This fluidity draws us into the stories, though the early scenes feel visually static. As the show progresses, the movement grows, creating a rhythm that crescendos into something electric. Its immersive theatre done right — mostly.

With no intermission and a tight seating arrangement, leaving the space can be tricky while the intimacy of the space amplifies even the smallest disruptions. On opening-night, a few audience departures fractured the spell of the dimmed, immersive ambiance. The setup shines in creating a deeply engaging environment, but it also requires audiences to plan ahead — perhaps skip that extra drink before arriving.

Courtney Navarre and Maggie Tisdale | Photo: Michael Ensminger Photography

Layers of story and sound

Malloy’s work is as much a musical collage as it is a linear narrative, weaving four interrelated stories across seven centuries. Watching Ghost Quartet feels a bit like throwing multiple stories into a blender — fragments of fairy tales, gothic tragedies and modern fables swirl together, delivered largely through song.

We meet 17th-century sisters Rose Red and Pearl White, whose tragic rivalry spirals into dark magic; a gothic 19th-century family collapsing under grief; a 14th-century Scheherazade spinning tales to survive; and a 21st-century subway tragedy that binds the past and present.

The plot, admittedly, can be hard to follow. But that feels deliberate, a reflection of how stories echo and evolve across lifetimes. The show revels in its layers of influences: Edgar Allan Poe, Arabian Nights, Noh drama and even video games like The Legend of Zelda. It’s a patchwork rather than a linear narrative, with each piece adding texture to the overall picture.

The four-person cast masterfully navigates this kaleidoscope of genres and time periods, seamlessly shifting between characters and musical styles. Maggie Tisdale shines as Rose Red and others, offering a performance both poignant and grounded amidst the show’s complexity.

Jeejay Maccariella brings charisma and musical finesse to their roles, especially the suave Astronomer. Courtney Navarre and Neyla Pekarek round out the quartet, shifting fluidly between roles and genres while infusing their performance with humor and depth.

As an added challenge, the actors must bring Malloy’s vision to life through both their acting and their musicianship. Each performer plays instruments live on stage, blending their vocal performances with cello, piano, percussion and more to create a rich, textured soundscape. Their ability to juggle roles as both actors and musicians is remarkable, particularly as they seamlessly shift between musical genres like gospel, jazz, folk and electropop.

Adding to the immersive nature of the production, audience members are invited to participate as well. Percussion instruments are passed around during two songs, encouraging the audience to participate in the performance. These are playful, communal moments that enhance the intimacy of the evening, reinforcing the sense that everyone present is part of the storytelling tapestry.

The ghostly quartet | Photo: Michael Ensminger Photography

A glimpse into the unknowable

Berg Wilson’s direction anchors the production, bringing clarity to a piece that could easily veer into chaos. Her staging intricately uses every inch of the transformed theater to create a dynamic interplay between performers and audience. By guiding the cast through the fragmented narratives with purpose and intention, she ensures that the production retains its emotional weight, even as it challenges traditional notions of linear storytelling.

Watching Ghost Quartet is akin to experiencing a dream that’s beautiful, disorienting and deeply resonant. The Cats have taken a dense, multi-layered piece and delivered a production that is as challenging as it is rewarding.

For all its complexities, Ghost Quartet is a rare theatrical gem that demands to be revisited. Yes, it’s dense. Yes, it’s occasionally confounding. But it’s also a rare gem that leaves you pondering long after the final note. With whiskey in hand and stories circling your thoughts, you might find yourself wondering: what tales are we telling ourselves — and why?

The sheer depth of its storytelling and the intricacies of its music make Ghost Quartet a show that demands — and deserves — multiple viewings. This is not a show that reveals all its secrets at once; rather, it invites you to lose yourself in its layers, ponder its mysteries, and return for more.

For those willing to embrace its unconventional structure and rich, immersive design, Ghost Quartet offers an unforgettable evening of theatre. Long after the music dies out, its echoes will linger, inviting you back for another round of whiskey and wonder. It’s a haunting, exhilarating reminder of the power of stories — and the emotions they leave behind.