STAGE REVIEW : ‘Ghost on Fire’: ‘60s Heat Cools Off

Michael Weller’s 1983 “Ghost on Fire,” at St. Genesius Theatre, indicates that he had a hard time getting out of the ‘60s. His trio of old college friends join the theatrical multitude who meet years later to share the wreckage of their lives and bemoan the political fire that no longer burns and the dreams from which they’ve awakened.

As usual their concerns are those of the very young. The films aging Dan (Joshua Campbell) wants to make are still the stuff of student work. A brain tumor doesn’t keep frenetic Hollywood cameraman Neil (Matt Walsh) from goading Dan back to his 16mm days. Dan’s wife, Julia (Sonja Nall), is sinking in self-pity because Dan’s teaching job doesn’t allow her to be part of the old team.

Campbell, Walsh and Nall (along with alternate Dane Peterson as Neil’s Texas bimbo wife) are on target in a large, capable cast, but they and Joseph Megel’s measured direction can’t keep this “Ghost” from looking faded in the light of the ‘90s.

“Ghost on Fire,” St. Genesius Theatre, 1051 N. Havenhurst Drive, West Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 & 8 p.m. Ends Feb. 7. $12; (310) 960-7957. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.