After debuting on the Mishler Theatre stage in 2006, “Ghosts” had a life of its own, with several theater companies licensing the production and an eventual independent film released in 2010 that received recognition at a number of regional film festivals.

“It developed this huge following locally, people just absolutely adored that show,” Jones said. “It’s always had this special place in people’s hearts around here, mine too.”

When Jones and Neil Port — the other half of the eponymous P&J Productions — were discussing how best to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary season in 2025, Port brought up “Ghosts” as an obvious candidate for a rerun.

“I said I’ll do it … but if I do it, I’d like to rearrange the music, write a new song for it and update it,” he said.

In this archive photo, the cast of Ghosts performs at the Roosevelt Jr. High School. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

The world has come a long way since 2006, leaving some aspects of the original production “dated,” according to Jones.

This prompted Jones to take a completely new look at the show, finding the best ways to bring it up to modern standards and incorporate the lessons he has learned over the past two decades as a director.

“It’s really a rebirth of this thing, it’s really the biggest and best version that’s ever been done in my opinion,” Jones said.

The show’s central themes of loss, grief and growth from those dark places have only become more relevant in 2025.

“I knew that element was in there when I started writing it over 20 years ago, but since that time I’ve lost a lot more family members, so now I’m now in that position where I had people in their 60s and 70s coming up to me (after the original production) saying, “I just lost my wife, my husband, and this really touched me and helped heal me,'” Jones said, “and I understand way more now.”

When Jones first wrote the play in 2005, he was still a theater acolyte, fresh in the industry that would later become his home.

Now, he has two decades of experience to draw upon to see “Ghosts” live up to its full potential.

This process included rewriting the entire script to expand several characters’ role in the plot, as well as rearranging the score with a new song in order to produce a cast recording of the updated show.

“All of (the characters) have their moment in the sun now, all of them are balanced with parts to play that are important to the actual show,” he said.

One of the main areas of development is the role of Toby, the boyfriend of main character Anna Martin.

In the original run, Toby had a more limited character with minimal involvement in the plot

Now, first-time P&J actor Tyler Bollman will take the role to new places with an expanded portfolio including a new song; “Your time to shine.”

“He’s a good fit, too. He’s got a great voice and people are going to love him,” Jones said.

Jones intentionally sought out a musician with no previous experience in theater to reprise the role in hopes that this particular set of expertise will help the eventual actor better portray Toby’s inner world.

Bollman, who has never acted in a theater show, is a local high school senior and guitarist who performs around the area with his band Open Ends.

“There’s an excitement there, a freshness, he hasn’t done 30 community theater shows before,” Jones said. “I actually gave him the ending (song) of the first act and the opening of the second.”

New friends and familiar faces

Jones prefers to have a mix of new faces and reliable, returning favorites to “anchor” each successive production.

This helps shows stay fresh and exciting, with regular attendees at P&J opening nights not getting bored seeing the same cast night in and night out, he said.

“For ‘Ghosts’ … I decided there would be no open auditions … so I personally cast all the people I thought would be great in these roles,” he said.

Jones has put his trust in Katrina Shedd to star as Anna Martin.

Shedd, an up-and-coming local actress who cut her teeth in several leading roles at the Cresson Lake Playhouse in Loretto, said she is “really, really excited” to make her P&J debut this October.

Jones knew Shedd would be the ideal actor to portray Martin after seeing her performance in “The Marvelous Wonderettes” at the Playhouse earlier this year.

After the show, Jones asked “Wonderettes” director and current “Ghosts” musical director Gabriella Petrarca for Shedd’s contact information to offer her the role.

Shedd wasn’t expecting the message from Jones, and was stunned to see the text appear on her phone.

“It’s absolutely insane, I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” Shedd said.

Since first meeting Petrarca as her Central Cambria High School theater teacher, Shedd has developed a close friendship and natural creative collaboration with Petrarca over their time working together at both the Playhouse and P&J.

Petrarca has been Shedd’s “rock” in her time acclimating to the new environment and new “Ghosts” castmates.

Shedd has been hard at work immersing herself in the character of Anna Martin, a feat made easier by their apparent similarities.

“My character is really fun for me in a lot of ways. She is sweet, kind with a sassy side and stands up for what she believes in, and she has a love for theater and music,” Shedd said. “I see a lot of myself in her, which makes it an easy role to connect with.”

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.

If you go

What: A refreshed production of the P&J favorite “Ghosts: The Musical”

When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18; 2 p.m. Oct. 19. Tickets available at

https://mishlertheatre.vbotickets.com/events

Where: The Mishler Theatre

Cost: All seats are $22 plus box office fees.