It’s one of those romantic movies we find ourselves watching again and again. And now it’s a stage musical as well.

“If you loved the movie, you’ll love the musical,” says Katie Postotnik, who is playing the role of Molly Jenson in the regional premiere of “Ghost the Musical,” opening at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center this week. “It’s a musical so it’s different, but it’s literally the same story.”

The romantic tale follows a young New York couple, Sam and Molly, whose relationship takes a unexpected turn when they are mugged one night and Sam loses his life. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in hopes of saving and protecting her.

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film in 1990, the film starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn and Whoopi Goldberg and was directed by Jerry Zucker. Bruce Joel Rubin’s script won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Whoopi Goldberg won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of psychic Oda Mae Brown.

The musical, adapted by Rubin for the stage, features an original pop score from Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart — one half of the 80s pop duo the Eurythmics — and Glen Ballard, co-writer with Alanis Morissette on the album Jagged Little Pill. The song, “Unchained Melody,” so closely associated with the film, is also part of the musical version.

Romance plus

“It’s a really touching story, a lot of people have lost someone they love and can relate,” says Postotnik, who is 26 and remembers loving the movie as a teen when it first came out. “My character loses Sam who she thinks is the love of her life. She wants to spend the rest of her life with him and has to struggle with all of these emotions and feelings.”

Postotnik lauds the technical aspect of the show that incorporates two large video screens that help create locations ranging from a subway to Oda Mae’s parlor. There are 20 in the cast.

“I won a lottery for Ghost when it opened in New York and got front row tickets,” she says. “I loved it and cried at the end. I immediately wanted to play the part of Molly because it’s a magnificent role and the music is beautiful.”

Growing up on stage

Postotnik grew up in Wisconsin and was in her first musical at the age of 10.

“My mom was always involved and would do shows she always made it clear that it was a fun, family activity,” she says. By the time she got to high school, she was beginning to consider musical theater as a career.

She says she loves performing and being on stage. She’s appeared in a variety of regional productions and toured natonally with “Rock of Ages.”

“I think theater has a way of touching people’s lives and I love to be part of that,” says Postotnik. “I love touching people’s hearts and impacting people in a positive way.”