Broadway at the Marcus Center presents: BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL

Will Burton as Adam, Megan McGinnis as Barbara, Isabella Esler as Lydia and Justin Collette as Beetlejuice in BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee through October 6, 2024. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

By Mary Boyle

No child of the 80’s could forget Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy horror film Beetlejuice.  Starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’ Hara, Jeffery Jones, and Winona Ryder, the movie went on to become a cult classic that has inspired a sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, in theaters now, with Keaton, O’Hara, and Ryder returning to the cast.  With all the resurgence of Beetlejuice mania, you wouldn’t want to miss your chance to see BEETLEJUICE the Broadway Musical, happening at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through October 6th!

With music & lyrics by Eddie Perfect and book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, Beetlejuice hit Broadway in 2019, earning 8 Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical.  The US National Tour began in 2022, a year before the show closed on Broadway.  Based on the 1988 film, the musical essentially follows the same general storyline.  The musical begins at the funeral for the mother of Lydia Deetz (Nevada Riley, who made her Broadway debut in Beetlejuice and has continued with the tour), but then the audience is introduced to the real star of the show in what is probably the highlight of the show: a number called “The Whole Being Dead Thing” performed by Beetlejuice (Justin Collette) and cast.  In this part of the production, audiences will understand why the show isn’t recommended for kids 12 and under.  For those easily offended, this is the part where you will be offended; for everyone else, it’s fun on a Book of Mormon level.

Following that initiation, we meet Barbara and Adam Maitland (Megan McGinnis and Will Burton), a young couple who are in love with each other and restoring their old home, just before they meet their untimely demise.  Beetlejuice, who is in need of the assistance of some recently deceased people, convinces the Maitlands he’s there to help them rid their cherished house from its new owners, Charles Deetz (Jesse Sharp) and his daughter, Lydia, and Delia (Sarah Litzsinger), who was hired to help Lydia with her depression, but who is now having an affair with Charles.  For whatever reason, Lydia can see and hear the Maitlands and, instead of being scared, she is enamored.  Lydia hopes that her new connection with the dead will lead her back to her mother, while Beetlejuice hopes to return to the living – can either one of them get what they want?

Directed by Alex Timbers, this version of Beetlejuice goes deeper into the emotional trauma both Lydia and her father are experiencing after the death of their mother and wife, as well as the common theme between the characters as being unseen and unheard, putting it constantly in danger of going into sappy territory; however, Beetlejuice makes sure that doesn’t happen.  Whatever inappropriateness you recall from Michael  Keaton’s Beetlejuice, triple it for the musical version – this really is a show for mature audiences, when it comes to content.  Just when you think you’re in danger of feeling sad, Beetlejuice pops up to make it all funny…or awkward.  Beyond that, it’s definitely a Broadway musical, complete with big and impressive set designs by David Korins, spectacular dance numbers choreographed by Michael Fatica, fun costumes by William Ivey Long, gigantic puppets by Michael Curry, and great musical numbers directed by Andy Gobengieser.  While not a life-altering piece of theatre, Beetlejuice is a delightfully wicked good time, and just in time for spooky season, to boot!

BEETLEJUICE runs through October 6th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Uihlein Hall, located at 929 N. Water Street in Downtown Milwaukee. Tickets may be purchased online at www.MarcusCenter.org, calling 414-273-7206 or by visiting the MPAC Box Office.  Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207.

About Marcus Performing Arts Center
A mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) brings high-quality arts and cultural programming to Southeastern Wisconsin. MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of the performing arts. Through multiple performance series, community events, and educational experiences, MPAC brings a diverse range of celebrated artists to the region. A fixture in Milwaukee for over 50 years, MPAC is proud to be part of the Milwaukee Theater District, as well as a dedicated War Memorial facility. Learn more at www.MarcusCenter.org.

Johnson Financial Group, with offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is a privately owned financial services company offering banking, wealth and insurance solutions through its subsidiaries, Johnson Bank, Johnson Wealth, and Johnson Insurance Services.  For more information visit johnsonfinancialgroup.com.
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Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. Led by 20-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include & Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Kimberly Akimbo, MJ: The Musical and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.




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