Casper: The Friendly Musical starred Chita as villainess Magdalena MonteVerde. Widely regarded as an opportunity for the star to build her stamina in preparation for the Chicago premiere of the Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb musical adaptation of Durrenmatt’s The Visit, the show was a frivolous confection intended for children.

After its world-premiere at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera June 5-24, 2001, the show continued to Kansas City, MO (July 16-22), Atlanta (July 23-29) and Dallas (July 30-Aug. 5).

A different version of Casper had briefly played in London in late 1999. Stephen Cole and David Bell provided a new book for the summer tour. Bell directed both the London and American productions. Cole wrote the lyrics and Matthew Ward wrote a new score with the London composer, Henry Marsh.

Chita played “a glamorous media celebrity of a certain age” who, while taping a reality television show in a haunted mansion encounters Casper the Friendly Ghost. To be specific, she sends six kids and a TV crew into an abandoned house in search of a long-lost deed to the property, promising $1 million to the winner. It turns out that the contest is rigged and that Chita’s character was the household maid years before.

Critics generally took the show far too seriously. As a chance to see Chita tear into star turn after star turn while wearing sensational costumes, it was a total success.

Casper Trivia:
During Casper, Chita adopted an entirely white Maltese dog and named him "Casper."

Publicity for the children's show, Casper the Musical, depended heavily upon the Chita persona and used photography created for her own show, Chita and All that Jazz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about "Casper," check out the "Casper Home Page," at: http://www.caspermusical.com