On Tour: Beetlejuice

Last weekend I took a trip to the Netherworld with Beetlejuice, the musical, the musical, the musical.

Beetlejuice is a new musical with music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect and book by Scott Brown and Anthony King. It is based on the 1988 film of the same name. Beetlejuice premiered on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre. Previews began on March 28, 2019, with an official opening night on April 25, 2019. The production reopened at the Marquis Theatre on April 8, 2022, following the Broadway shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Broadway production closed at a loss on January 8, 2023

Beetlejuice has always been in my peripheral since it opened in 2019, but it was never something I would have chosen for myself. I have never seen the film, so I didn’t have that nostalgia that gripped so many fans into seeing the musical. I won a lottery ticket for the tour, and I was excited to give it a chance!

I didn’t really have any preconceived notions or expectations for Beetlejuice, and I think that was part of what made it so fun.

The overall set design and atmosphere of the show was designed to draw the audience into the world the characters live in. I think the set design of the show kind of got overlooked in its season. It was very spectacular and looked incredible in a touring house, which makes me think when it was mounted in a theatre on Broadway it probably created even more of an atmosphere. It was very cool how they transitioned between sets, and the way the Maitlands house transformed into the Deetz house was very cool. I think this was a case where it was cool to use the projections to transform the look of the set over the course of the musical.

The choreography of the show is also excellent. The ensemble is all truly triple threats with performers doing flips on stage. I would not have considered Beetlejuice to be a dance-heavy show but the ensemble choreography really added to the world that has been crafted on stage. There is no weak link in this cast, and you can tell the performers are having a blast on stage.

We can’t take about Beetlejuice without talking about Justin Colette in the titular role. I was so pleasantly surprised by how Colette conquered the role. I had only ever seen Alex Brightman do press for the show. I could easily see Beetlejuice being the kind of role really written and catered to the actor originating the role, but Colette really takes the role on as his own and keeps the audience laughing. He also plays well with Isabella Esler, who stars in her breakout role as Lydia Deetz.

Britney Coleman gives a heartwarming performance as Barbara Maitland. I was thrilled to see her on stage again after seeing her in Company last summer. I really loved how she captured Barbara’s sweet and caring nature and her excellent chemistry with Will Burton. I was thrilled to see Burton in a role that captured more of his comedic talent after seeing him in Between the Lines off-Broadway last summer. The pair played so well off each other and with their other castmates.

I also enjoyed Kate Marilley‘s performance as Delia. Her comedic timing is impeccable, and as a comic relief character, she has the audience wrapped around her finger.

This was overall a really enjoyable performance and I’m so glad I was able to see it while it was in my city on tour! As Beetlejuice makes its way around the country, see if it’s coming to a city near you!