At the Liberty:"Casper 30th Anniversary"

DAYTON — Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson) is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When paranormal therapist James Harvey (Bill Pullman) arrives to communicate with the mansion’s spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). Casper falls for Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics. The cast includes Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Dan Aykroyd, Mel Gibson, and Rodney Dangerfield.

One Rotten Tomatoes critic wrote that “Casper” was based on the original cartoon and comic book, “Casper the Friendly Ghost”. The movie is a terrific mix of live action and the superb wizardry of Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic.”

An audience member wrote, “Loved this movie 30 years ago and loved it just as much this time around. The special effects still hold up.” Casper is rated R for mild language and thematic elements and has a runtime of 100 minutes.

On Friday, the theater will be handing out candy during Main Street Halloween from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for the theater’s 2025 Fall Production of “A Christmas Carol”. There will be 14 performances between Nov. 13 and Dec. 6.

“A Christmas Carol” combines the beloved story of the same title by Charles Dickens, published in 1843, and the well-known short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, published in 1905. The stage play was written by Mike Ferrians and Brenda Henderson, who wove these two beautiful stories into one tale in which the hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted with a choice between self-imposed hell and a redeeming, selfless love. The strength of charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence is the focus of this reimagined stage play, featuring new music and lyrics to bring the story to life. Produced by Touchet Valley Arts Council Productions and directed by Mike Ferrians and Brenda Henderson.

Get tickets online at libertytheater.org or at the box office on Tues. & Fri. from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or call (509) 382-1380.

Upcoming Movies: “30th Anniversary of Casper” Oct. 31-Nov. 2 (no movie on Tuesday), No movie on Nov. 4 to 11, the live production of “A Christmas Carol” on Nov. 13 to Dec. 6.