It's rather surprising considering the visuals that it wasn’t until 2019 that a Broadway musical based on a Tim Burton film came to the stage. Based on the original 1988 film, the show is playing at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary until January 12^th, then heads north to Edmonton from January 14^th – 19^th.

I saw the show on Broadway in 2022 and loved it. So it was with great excitement that I joined the packed house for opening night. While there are some changes to accommodate a touring production, the energy that created hardcore fans on Broadway remained.

Justin Collette has a big suit to fill as Beetlejuice. Both Michael Keaton in the film and Alex Brightman on Broadway established the roles and Collette delivers. Despite doing "this bullshit like 8 times a week" Beetlejuice is delivered with gusto from the opening number "The Whole Being Dead Thing." When The Juice is loose on stage it’s beautiful chaos.

While Beetlejuice is on the marquee, the show’s heart is Madson Mosley’s Lydia, originally played by Winona Ryder, Boasting an impressive set of pipes, Mosley delivers in the role. Will Burton’ Adam and Megan McGinnis’ Barbara as the ghostly couple haunting the house Lydia moves to are excellent, Jesse Sharp as Lydia’s father Charles and Lexie Dorsett Sharp as life coach Delia round out the main cast, and their act 1 rendition of "Day-oh" is a showstopper.

The ensemble plays everything from mourners to multiple Beetlejuices to skeletons. The set itself becomes a character of its own, transforming through use of projections and furniture from a classic Victorian to a spooky haunted house.

Is Beetlejuice groundbreaking? No. But it is an incredibly entertaining whirlwind that has broad appeal. Like previous shows like The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q it’s a show that has appealed to audiences that may not go to another musical. There were several people dressed up in the audience as Beetlejuice or wearing black and white. Capturing new fans to the genre is an important part of modern-day theatre. Despite swearing and some sexual jokes, there were many kids in the audience. This isn’t The Lion King (cheap plug – coming this summer) but the splashy show will still appeal.

You don’t have to say his name three times. Just head to Ticketmaster and get your tickets to see Beetlejuice. Unlike summoning the ghost himself, you won’t regret it.

Related Articles

Contributor Jason Clevett |

---

Locale Calgary |

---

Topic Broadway Across Canada | Theatre |

---