The show is an adaptation of the 1990 iconic film Ghost, which starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwin and Whoopi Goldberg.

Rathgeber will play the role of Carl Bruner, played by Goldwin in the film.

He said he was excited to take on the new role.

“The role I’m playing is a really different role from anything I’ve done in my career so I’m excited to have the challenge and step in a different direction,” he said.

“In this story I’m the villain and I’m used to playing the nice guy, the romantic lead.”

Rathgeber will star alongside Rob Mills and Jemma Rix.

Mills had worked on a number of well-known shows including Wicked, Grease and Legally Blonde.

Rix is best known for her role as Elphaba in Wicked.

Rathgeber said it was exciting to work next to such a stellar cast and be a part of such an iconic story.

“A lot of my friends have seen this musical in the West End and they all say it’s a really beautiful, romantic, moving show,” he said.

Although he has not seen Ghost the Musical himself, Rathgeber is familiar with the show’s soundtrack, which features the Righteous Brother classic hit Unchained Melody and original works by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard.

“When the album first came out I was obsessed with it, the music is just breathtaking,” he said.

Rathgeber said since his role was announced on Monday the public response had been fantastic.

“Ghost is a dearly loved film and the response has been really enthusiastic,” he said.

“It’s nice to have that kind of passion and interest behind the show in the lead up.

“The script it faithful to the film and some of those great lines from the film will be in the stage show.”

Rathgeber is currently in Sydney playing the role of Billy Croker in Anything Goes.

His work in the role won him a Helpmann Award for best male actor in a supporting role earlier this year.

“It’s nice to go from Anything Goes, the classic Broadway musical to something written this century,” he said.

“It’s a world away in terms of style – it’s really refreshing.”

Anything Goes wraps up in Sydney on Saturday.

Rathgeber will have a short breaking before starting rehearsals for Ghost next month.

Ghost the Musical will open in Adelaide on January 9.