Broadway musical, “Beetlejuice,” brings a reimagined take on the 1998 Tim Burton movie to TPAC through March 17. “Beetlejuice” tells the story of Lydia Deetz (Isabella Esler), a grieving teen who meets a recently deceased couple, and a demon (Justin Collette), in her new family home. Although this is based on the classic film, it does have a content warning (strong language, mature references).
The musical’s differences from the Burton film are immediately visible as it begins with a scene at a funeral for Lydia’s mother. After a beautiful performance from the gothic teen, we’re met with Beetlejuice for the first time. His character brings a lightness to the story about… death. He’s always there to break the fourth wall with a raunchy joke or vulgar one-liner. Collette keeps the qualities of the character we all love to hate while adding his own impeccable comedic timing.
In this version of the story, Barbara and Adam Maitland die inside their home after Beetlejuice introduces their electrifying death. Not long after, they wake up and a new family is moving in. Lydia and her father move in with the eccentric Delia, Lydia’s life coach (and dad’s not-so-secret girlfriend). The Maitlands want their house back and Lydia wants to go back home so they team up for an epic haunting.
Although this haunting includes a few f-bombs, there are still your favorite pieces — just formatted for the stage. I didn’t think I’d enjoy “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” as much as I enjoyed it in the film but I was very, very wrong. See what I mean while “Beetlejuice” is at TPAC through March 17. Get your tickets here.
