Broadway in Chicago presents BEETLEJUICE The Musical.
The innovative team of Scott Brown (book), Anthony King (book) and Eddie Perfect (music and lyrics) said Beetlejuice three times turning the 1988 cult classic film into a highly-entertaining staged musical. Brown and King remain true to the essences of the movie. A hilariously crass spook, with green hair and a black-white striped suit, wants his life back. A family with a sullen teen move into a house already occupied by the former, now dead, residents. Brown and King broaden the humor and the heart by focusing more on the unlikely relationship of ghoul meets girl.
The show starts out with the funeral of Lydia’s mom. The ensemble, dressed in goth perfection by Costume Designer William Ivey Long, surround the casket as Isabella Esler (Lydia) sings a beautifully heart piercing “Invisible.” As she finishes and exits, all attention goes to Justin Collette (Beetlejuice). Collette’s hilarious arrival onstage is pure stand-up comedy. He makes fun of the ballad, the show and the audience. Continually breaking the fourth wall, he reminds the theatre his name is on the marquee. Collette leads the chorus singing a cheeky “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing.” Eddie Perfect (music and lyrics) sets the break-all-the-rules tone. His welcome to a-show-about-death is both witty and vulgar.
The stars of the show are the stars of the show. Esler and Collette are powerhouses! Esler, a recent high school graduate, is making her professional debut with this show. And it’s marveling. Her portrayal of Lydia is beautifully complex. Esler is willful and vulnerable as a daughter in search of her mom. Her actions are fearless yet her face radiates childlike innocence. One moment she is abusing the pizza delivery guy and the next she is contemplating suicide. And her two solos, “Dead Mom” and “Home”, are haunting. As she sings “Home”, Esler transforms from lost little girl to confident young woman. Perhaps, most impressively, Esler confidently holds her own in Collette’s orbit. She is never invisible despite Collette’s huge presence.
Collette is a lovable prick. His comedy is non-stop madcap! He reminds the audience that he is the reason people bought a ticket. And he relishes in that notion. His tireless performance is a riot-fest. He takes the words Brown, King and Perfect gave him and makes them even funnier. Whether he’s saying it or singing it, he nails every possible comedic nuisance. Move over, Michael Keaton, there is a new Beetlejuice in town! And he is crushing it hard. If Collette gets a comedy special, I’m there! And nod out to Kate Marilley (Delia) for her hysterical portrayal of a life coach.
BEETLEJUICE is everything people loved about the movie and more… much much more.The sets (David Korins), costumes, lighting (Kenneth Poser), special effects (Jeremy Chernick) and puppets (Michael Curry) are dynamic and imaginative. And don’t worry, the iconic “Day-O” number is featured. BEETLEJUICE is a fun escape from the real world by spending time in the netherworld.
And if you miss it in November, just say Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice for it to materialize for a one week run at the Nederlander in May 2024.
Running Time: Two hours and forty-five minutes includes an intermission
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
Based on the Geffen Company Picture, with a story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson
Book by Scott Brown and Anthony King
Music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect
Directed by Alex Timbers
Music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul
Choreography by Connor Gallagher
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 8pm
Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm
Now: November 9 – November 19th
Returning: May 21st – 26th
For more information or tickets
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