‘Beetlejuice’ musical coming to broadway next year
Fans of the 1988 classic movie “Beetlejuice” will once again be able to get a fix of their favorite ghost, thanks to a musical adaptation of the film coming to Broadway next year.
Langley Park Productions and Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures announced that the musical comedy will begin previews in March 2019, and opening night is set for April at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. Before that, “Beetlejuice” the musical will make its debut at the National Theatre in Washington D.C. on Nov. 4.
According to Consequence of Sound, press materials for the musical describe it as “ruder, raunchier and frankly, more repellent than ever.”
Alex Brightman (“School of Rock”) and Sophia Anne Caruso (“The Sound of Music Live!”) will play the leads of Beetlejuice and Lydia in the D.C. show, and will likely continue their roles on Broadway. Two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers (“Peter and the Starcatcher”) will direct, and Eddie Perfect (“King Kong”) is composing the score.
The film featured an original score by Danny Elfman, plus two songs performed by Harry Belafonte, including the iconic “Banana Boat Song (Day 0).”
“Beetlejuice” tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a young girl who is fascinated with death and whose new home is haunted by two ghosts. The ghosts unsuccessfully try to scare the family away, and then they enlist the help of “bio-exorcist” demon Beetlejuice, and chaos ensues.
The original Tim Burton film starred Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Duncan. It was the 10th-highest-grossing film of 1988 and won an Academy Award for makeup design. Thirty years later, it’s still a cult classic enjoyed by new generations of fans.
You can purchase tickets for the D.C. run of the musical online, in person at the National Theatre box office or by phone at 800-514-3849.
Are you excited for the “Beetlejuice” musical?