An Interview with James-Michael Roddy

TB= Troy Benjamin, JR= James-Michael Roddy

Date: Sunday, May 24, 1998 6:31:27 PM

TB: Mr. Roddy, thank you for agreeing to this interview. First, may I ask what it was that you did on the Ghostbusters Spooktacular stage show?
JMR: Well Troy, I started out as one of the Ghostbusters in the Show. I portrayed Ray Stantz as well as Peter and Egon. I guess I have a versatile face. Then I was cross-trained into the role of E.P.A. agent Walter Peck.

TB: We know that Universal Studios shut the show down because of "lack of interest," yet the show would draw lines as big, or bigger than the Back to the Future ride. It was definatly a popular attraction, what was an ordinary day like in the suit of a GB?
JMR: For me it was like a dream come true... I have always been a big fan of the first film. The chemistry between the actors as well as the tone of the film and the effects combined into one of the greatest movie experiences...ever. For me It was a wonderful experience, living in that jumpsuit and wearing that unliscensed nuclear accelerator on my back... We usually ended up doing around 14 shows and meet and greets.

TB: Could you tell us a little about the special effects of the show? They were no doubt an incredible feat for a live stage show.
JMR: Well they were tempermental, as with any illusion... Sometimes it actually seemed as if they had a mind of their own...especially Stay Puft. We used an illusion that is referred to as a pepper's ghost where the lasers were reflected onto a glass that was also illuminated from behind where we were....Combined with the Ghosts that were also reflected, it gave the illusion that we were kickin some serious Gozer butt...

TB: What is the cast of the GB Spooktacular up to since the show has been closed down?
JMR: Well Now that I have moved a position of Show Direction and Writing, the concept was given to me to create. With the full support of the original creators, We have the Ghostbuster's Training Camp. Here is the concept...
Peter, Ray, and Egon, have all hung up there suits to pursue other things....Peter is a televison host, Ray opened a lucrative franchise of paranormal themed restraunts, and Egon has his new group of Extreme Ghostbusters...
Winston has moved to Orlando, with the same intent. After numerous readings, Egon has found Central Florida to be a hot-bed of paranormal activity. So Winston is in charge of recruiting and training new Ghostbusters to help save the world.
He puts his new recruits, who all have various reasons for joining the Camp, through a series of insensitive tests, that include, Nutrana Practice, Ghost Recognition and Entrapment, and of course...Marketing. It really was fun to create, and the characters are all true to the Ghostbusters Mythology...something I am adamant about maintaining...

TB: Okay, we must know- who was your favorite GB?
JMR: I have always had a fondness for Dr. Venkman. He was always my favorite to perform... "So be Good for Goodness sake...Whoa-oh...somebody's comin..."

TB: Thanks for this brief interview Mr. Roddy, we look forward to hearing from you in the future!
JMR: Thank You for the wonderful opportunity. Just remeber when you find a Class Five, Full-Torso, Free-Roaming, Vaporous Apparition in your neighborhood...Who Ya Gonna Call? 1-800-555-BUST.