Berkshire on Stage

‘The Ghost with the Most’ is loose inside Proctor’s Theatre! “Beetlejuice: The Musical”, ‘a show about death’ offers an adult-themed, comedic look into mourning, loneliness and The Netherworld. 

What happens when we die? Answers to that often hard question, await as the title character, Beetlejuice, in a star-making performance by Justin Collette, leads the audience on a hilarious journey to hell and back. For those unfamiliar with the 1988 Tim Burton film of the same name, starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis, “Beetlejuice” follows the story of the recently deceased Maitlands as they navigate the afterlife. Beetlejuice, the character, is only featured in the film for 20 minutes. In “Beetlejuice: The Musical”, however, the title character serves as your guide to The Netherworld, as a fourth-wall breaking, foul-mouthed, narrator. This convention works well to feature Beetlejuice, but often leaves the plot wanting more. 

As most adaptations do, the musical departs, right off the bat, from the original source material. Lydia (Isabella Esler) is grappling with the loss of her mother Emily and how that loss has changed her relationship with her father, Charles (Jesse Sharp), who deep in his own pain, refuses to even say his wife’s name. When they move into a new home, they find the Maitlands (Megan McGinnis and Will Burton), having recently passed themselves, haunting the attic. The ghosts of the Maitlands, only seen by Lydia, who is, a self-described “strange and unusual” teenager, have enlisted the help of Beetlejuice, a green haired, black and white striped suit wearing, pansexual demon, to rid their home of their human intruders. Beetlejuice, a spirit with ulterior motives, is on a quest to become human. He must find a living person to say his name three times, unbroken, to gain entry to the living world. Lydia soon becomes his mark. Wrestling with demons, the undead and relationships with the living, these characters ultimately get what they desire, understanding and companionship. 

Catchy tunes like, “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” and “Creepy Old Guy ”, (music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect), drive this musical for the 2 hour and 30 minute run time; whereas the book by Scott Brown and Anthony King offers flimsy character development and plot resolution. Beetlejuice, the most developed character of the show, is embodied brilliantly by Collette. He finds a way to make a swear-a-minute, smelly and crude hell-dweller, sexy and appealing. Isabella Esler shines as the grief-stricken Lydia with some of the most powerful singing in the troupe. Sarah Litzsinger plays a delightfully ditzy, but empathetic Delia, the guru obsessed girlfriend of Charles. A scene-stealing shout out to Abe Goldfarb for his embodiment of Otho, the aforementioned guru. 

The world of Tim Burton is expertly brought to life in the sets of David Korins and William Ivey Long’s costumes, drawing inspiration from the film, immersing you in a world teetering on the edge of reality. A nod to the Hair and Wig Design of Charles G. LaPointe and Make-Up Design by Joe Dulude II for not only creating Beetlejuice, but also Hillary Porter’s Miss Argentina, who must be seen to be believed. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to visit The Netherworld, been curious what demons do in their off time or longed for a peek into the Handbook for the Recently Deceased, “Beetlejuice: The Musical” can’t be missed. This laugh-a-minute demon will leave you screaming his name. BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJU—

“Beetlejuice: The Musical” at Proctor’s Theatre, Music and Lyrics by Eddie Prefect, Book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, Directed by Alex Timbers with Musical Direction by Andy Grobengieser. Music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul. Choreography by Connor Gallagher. Sets by David Korins; Costumes by William Ivey Long; Hair and Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe; Make-Up Design by Joe Dulude II; Lighting design by Kenneth Posner; Sound design by Peter Hylenski;
Projection design by Peter Nigrini; Puppet design by Michael Curry; Special Effects design by Jeremy Chernick; Associate Director is Catie Davis; Associate Choreographer is Michael Fatica; casting by The Telsey Office. 

CAST: Justin Collette as Beetlejuice, Isabella Esler as Lydia, Megan McGinnis as Barbara, Will Burton as Asam, Jesse Sharp as Charles, Sarah Litzsinger as Delia, Abe Goldfarb as Otho/Priest/Mover/Census Taker, Lee N Price as Mover, Maria Sylia Norris as Maxine Dean/Juno, Brian Vaughn as Maxie Dean, Madison Mosley as Girl Scout, Hillary Porter as Miss Argentina, and Michael Biren, Jonathan Bryant, Haley Fish, Kenway Hon Wai K. Kua, Mateo Melendez, Madison Mosley, Larkin Reilly, Corbin Williams as the Ensemble. http://www.proctors.org