Beetlejuice Musical – Complete Broadway Guide & History
Bettlejuice Lets Talk Podcast Audio File
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Beetlejuice
The Musical. The Musical. The Musical.
Broadway Success Story
The musical had a tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., in October 2018, prior to opening on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on April 25, 2019. It is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. Despite pandemic closures and theater relocations, the show has proven to be a major commercial success, spawning multiple Broadway runs, a highly successful national tour, and international productions worldwide.
Development and Origins
In 2016, a musical adaptation of the 1988 film Beetlejuice (directed by Tim Burton and starring Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton) was reported to be in the works, directed by Alex Timbers and produced by Warner Bros., following a reading with Christopher Fitzgerald in the title role.
In March 2017, it was reported that Australian musical comedian Eddie Perfect would be writing the music and lyrics, and Scott Brown and Anthony King would be writing the book of the musical. The musical had three readings and two workshops with Alex Brightman in the title role, Sophia Anne Caruso as Lydia Deetz, and Kerry Butler and Rob McClure as the Maitlands. Notably, Tim Burton was not consulted in the musical’s production.
Plot Synopsis
Prologue and Setup
A group of people at a graveyard mourn the passing of Emily Deetz. Emily’s daughter, Lydia, reflects on the death of her mother and her own inability to be noticed by her father, Charles (“Prologue: Invisible”). A millennia-old demon named Beetlejuice appears and mocks the idea of living life to the fullest, as it will all be worthless once death comes (“The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing”). Beetlejuice then addresses the audience directly, explaining that, as a demon, he is invisible to all living beings unless he gets a living person to say his name three times, and reveals that he has come up with a plan to accomplish this.
The Maitlands’ Death
Beetlejuice then introduces Adam and Barbara Maitland, a normal married couple who desperately want to start a family, who are not emotionally ready and project their insecurities onto their hobbies. As the Maitlands reason to themselves why they are not ready for a child, they fall to their deaths through unstable floorboards in their home (“Ready, Set, Not Yet”). The Handbook for the Recently Deceased falls from the sky, but Beetlejuice burns it, wanting the newly deceased Maitlands to haunt their house and get a living person to say his name three times.
When the Maitlands awaken from their fall and realize that they are dead, Beetlejuice reveals himself to the couple and offers to help them adjust to the Afterlife (“The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing, Pt. 2”). He reveals to the Maitlands that a new family, the Deetzes, have bought their house and that in order to remain alone, they will have to scare them away, so the Maitlands accept his help (“The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing, Pt. 3”).
Enter the Deetzes
While moving in, Charles reveals to Lydia that he wants to start a gated community, using the house as a flagship model home, and is holding a dinner party with some business friends. Lydia expresses her desire for her mother to return, mentioning the fact that nobody seems to care that she is gone. Praying for her to send a sign that she is still there, Lydia vows to make her father acknowledge the fact that tragedy struck their family (“Dead Mom”).
In the attic, Beetlejuice is trying to teach the Maitlands how to be scary. Despite his best attempts, they prove to be not scary at all (“Fright of Their Lives”). Beetlejuice becomes frustrated with the couple and abandons them, so they vow to scare the Deetz family away themselves. Meanwhile, Delia, a woman whom Charles hired to be Lydia’s life coach and his secret lover, tells Lydia how everything happens for a reason but fails to get her in a positive state of mind (“No Reason”).
Lydia Meets Beetlejuice
After their session, Lydia meets the Maitlands as they are roaming the house trying to scare the Deetzes. Lydia wants to leave the house just as much as the Maitlands want her family out, so she tries to convince her dad that the house is haunted, only to find out that he and Delia are engaged.
Feeling as if Charles is just trying to replace her mother, Lydia flees to the roof, considering suicide, where a depressed Beetlejuice laments that he will never be seen (“Invisible” (reprise)). He becomes ecstatic however when he realizes Lydia can see him; he advises her not to kill herself, with the intention of getting her to free him from his curse. Lydia teases Beetlejuice but does not say his name the necessary three times. The Maitlands come to check on Lydia, only to be possessed by Beetlejuice into saying positive things about him to further convince Lydia. Upon learning about possession and that any ghost can do it, regardless of skill, Lydia decides not to work with Beetlejuice and instead work with the Maitlands to ruin Charles’ party (“Say My Name”).
The Dinner Party
At the dinner party, Barbara and Adam possess Charles, Delia, and their guests and perform a spirited rendition of “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”. However, instead of being scared, the investors see the ghosts as a selling point, making them more interested in Charles’ project. Feeling desperate, Lydia resorts to summoning Beetlejuice. Now visible to the living and able to affect the world around him, he forces the Maitlands to the attic before throwing Charles, Delia, and the investors out of the house, much to Lydia’s joy.
Beetlejuice’s Plan
A Girl Scout named Sky explains to the audience how she has a heart condition where anything shocking could stop her heart but that she is nevertheless excited to be a Girl Scout. She rings the doorbell of the Deetzes’ house and is greeted by Lydia, who invites her inside (“Girl Scout”). However, Beetlejuice appears and frightens the poor girl into leaving. He summons more versions of himself to help Lydia scare every visitor that comes to the house (“That Beautiful Sound”).
He also tells Lydia that since she lives and works among the dead now, she should also follow their rules, and gives her a copy of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased. Even though Lydia cannot open it due to not being dead, she realizes it could help her reunite with her mother, and runs to the attic for Barbara and Adam’s help. Feeling alone and betrayed again, Beetlejuice talks with his clones about how he wants to leave the house to finally connect with people now that he can be seen. To achieve this, he decides to trick Lydia into marrying him, which will allow him to roam free in the living world (“That Beautiful Sound” (reprise)).
The Netherworld
In the attic, Barbara and Adam help Lydia open the Handbook, when they realize they should have gone straight to the Netherworld instead of remaining in their house. Adam opens the door to the Netherworld, but Barbara shuts it and the Handbook, afraid of leaving the house. Lydia berates them because she hoped to use the book to summon her dead mother and leaves disappointed and angry. Barbara realizes that all of their fear has held her and Adam back, so they decide to become bolder and better people (“Barbara 2.0”).
Delia, Charles, and Delia’s guru, Otho, re-enter the house to rescue Lydia, bringing a box that can supposedly trap souls. Beetlejuice tricks Lydia by telling her that reading a passage from the book will resurrect her mother, but instead, she begins to exorcise Barbara and is forced to agree to marry Beetlejuice to stop it (“The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing, Pt. 4”). He stops the exorcism and opens a door to the Netherworld to send the Maitlands away for good, but Lydia jumps through the door, with Charles following. Enraged that his plan has failed again, Beetlejuice decides to kill everyone instead (“Good Old Fashioned Wedding”).
Resolution
Lydia and Charles enter the Netherworld and are greeted by Miss Argentina, who along with other Netherworld residents, urges them to return to the living world (“What I Know Now”). They then meet Juno, director of Netherworld Customs and Processing, who soon finds out they are still alive. Lydia runs from Juno and frantically searches for her mother in the Netherworld, but is unable to find her. Charles finds Lydia in distress and reconciles with her (“Home”).
The Deetzes return to the house, where Beetlejuice is preparing to kill everyone. Lydia plans to trick him by agreeing to marry him as Charles, Delia, and the Maitlands get the demon ready (“Creepy Old Guy”). The wedding brings Beetlejuice to life, allowing Lydia to stab him and kill him again, making him “Recently Deceased”. Lydia and the Maitlands try to send him back to the Netherworld, but Juno appears, reveals herself as Beetlejuice’s mother, and tries to take Lydia back with her.
Beetlejuice stands up to Juno, having learned to appreciate life in his brief experience. Juno pretends to be moved by Beetlejuice’s speech and throws him out of the house. The Maitlands, Charles, and Delia refuse to let Juno take Lydia. Beetlejuice then crashes through the wall riding a sandworm, which eats Juno.
Beetlejuice says his last goodbyes to everyone before leaving. The Deetzes and Maitlands rejoice in their victory and agree to share the house as they clean up and repair the damage. Lydia accepts that although her mother is gone, there is still so much left to enjoy in life (“Jump in the Line”).
Characters
Main Characters
- Beetlejuice – A millennia-old demon and bio-exorcist who is invisible unless someone says his name three times. Mischievous, crude, and desperate for human connection.
- Lydia Deetz – A teenage girl dealing with her mother’s death and her father’s emotional distance. Gothic, intelligent, and struggling to find her place in the world.
- Adam Maitland – A recently deceased homeowner who, along with his wife Barbara, haunts their former home. Sweet, anxious, and reluctant to be scary.
- Barbara Maitland – Adam’s wife and fellow ghost. Caring, fearful, but eventually learns to be bolder.
- Charles Deetz – Lydia’s father, a businessman focused on his real estate development project. Neglectful but ultimately caring.
- Delia Deetz – Charles’ girlfriend and later fiancée, hired as Lydia’s life coach. New-age and optimistic.
- Juno – Director of Netherworld Customs and Processing, later revealed to be Beetlejuice’s mother.
- Miss Argentina – A beauty pageant contestant who died and now helps guide the living in the Netherworld.
- Otho – Delia’s guru and spiritual advisor.
Musical Numbers
Act I
- “Prologue: Invisible”
- “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing”
- “Ready, Set, Not Yet”
- “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing, Pt. 2”
- “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing, Pt. 3”
- “Dead Mom”
- “Fright of Their Lives”
- “Ready, Set, Not Yet” (Reprise)
- “No Reason”
- “Invisible” (Reprise)
- “Say My Name”
- “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” ‡
Act II
- “Girl Scout” †
- “That Beautiful Sound”
- “That Beautiful Sound” (Reprise)
- “Barbara 2.0”
- “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing, Pt. 4”
- “Good Old Fashioned Wedding” †
- “What I Know Now”
- “Home”
- “Creepy Old Guy”
- “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)” ‡
† Not included on the Cast Recording
‡ Featured in the original 1988 film
Production History
Pre-Broadway Tryout (2018)
The musical had a pre-Broadway tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. The production was directed by Alex Timbers and choreographed by Connor Gallagher, with musical direction by Kris Kukul, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Peter Hylenski, projection design by Peter Nigrini, puppet design by Michael Curry, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Michael Weber, music producing by Matt Stine and dance arrangements by David Dabbon.
The cast included Alex Brightman in the title role alongside Sophia Anne Caruso as Lydia, Kerry Butler and Rob McClure as Barbara and Adam, Leslie Kritzer and Adam Dannheisser as Delia and Charles, Jill Abramovitz and Danny Rutigliano as Maxine and Maxie, and Kelvin Moon Loh as Otho.
Original Broadway Run (2019-2020)
Beetlejuice premiered on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre with the same cast and creative team. Previews began on March 28, 2019, with an official opening night on April 25, 2019. David Josefsberg took over the role of Adam in September 2019, and understudy Presley Ryan took over the role of Lydia in February 2020 for the run’s last two weeks.
Broadway Revival (2022-2023)
The production reopened at the Marquis Theatre on April 8, 2022, with Brightman returning in the title role and Butler, Josefsberg, Dannheisser, Kritzer, Loh, Rutigliano and Steingold reprising their roles. Elizabeth Teeter joined the cast as Lydia, with Michelle Aravena as Miss Argentina and Zonya Love as Maxine Dean/Juno. The production closed on January 8, 2023, after a total of 679 performances (combining both Broadway runs) and 27 previews.
Third Broadway Return (2025-2026)
The production is playing a thirteen-week return engagement at the Palace Theatre on Broadway, with mostly the U.S. national tour cast. The cast includes touring cast members Justin Collette in the title role, Isabella Esler as Lydia and Will Burton as Adam, with Megan McGinnis as Barbara.
National and International Tours
First US National Tour (2022-2025)
Tour Success
The show began its first US national tour at the Carson Center in Paducah, Kentucky, on December 1, 2022, and is set to close at the Belk Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 14, 2025. The cast included Justin Collette in the title role, with Isabella Esler as Lydia, Will Burton as Adam and Britney Coleman as Barbara; Timbers again directed and Gallagher choreographed. The tour recouped its original investment after only 37 weeks on the road, demonstrating the show’s tremendous commercial appeal.
International Productions
The musical has been produced internationally in numerous countries:
- Seoul, South Korea (2021) – Played at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in July and August, with Jung Sung-hwa and Yoo Jun-sang sharing the title role
- Norwegian Viva Cruise Ship (2023) – Opened in September 2023, directed by Catie Davis and choreographed by Connor Gallagher
- Japan (2023, 2025) – Played in Shinbashi Enbujo (Tokyo), Misonoza (Aichi) and Osaka-Shochikuza (Osaka), with Jesse in the title role, directed by Yuichi Fukuda. Restaged in May and June 2025
- Brazil (2023-2024) – Played at Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro from October to December 2023, directed by Renata Borges Pimenta, starring Eduardo Sterblitch. Moved to São Paulo in 2024
- Australia (2025) – Opened May 17, 2025, at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, with composer Eddie Perfect playing the title role alongside Karis Oka as Lydia. Closed September 11, 2025
- Czech Republic (2024) – Opened in November 2024 at the Karlín Music Theatre in Prague, directed by Gabriel Barre
- Poland (2025) – Premiered September 13, 2025, at Syrena Theatre in Warsaw
Upcoming Productions
- United Arab Emirates (November 2025) – Limited run at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with Andy Karl in the title role
- Singapore (January 2026) – Scheduled to premiere at the Esplanade Theatre, with Karl reprising his role
- Australia Return (Summer 2026) – Scheduled to transfer to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Second US Non-Equity Tour (2026) – Set to begin February 13, 2026, at the Saroyan Theatre in Fresno, California, with performances through August 2026
- West End (May 2026) – Production at the Prince Edward Theatre planned for a limited engagement
Critical Reception
Mixed Reviews
The musical received mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics praising the performances and production values while noting issues with pacing and content.
— Ben Brantley, The New York Times
— Sara Holdren, New York Vulture
— Frank Rizzo, Variety
Washington Post Improvement Note
Peter Marks, theatre critic for The Washington Post, was pleased by the changes made during the show’s transition to Broadway: “during its tryout run in November in Washington’s National Theatre, the blithe, dizzily antic spirit of the movie was suffocating under the weight of sophomoric, phallic gags. This reworked incarnation, under Alex Timbers’s direction, breathes slightly more enjoyably even as it remains too faithful to the pumped-up inclinations of book writers Scott Brown and Anthony King and composer-lyricist Eddie Perfect.”
Cast Recordings and Albums
Original Broadway Cast Recording
Ghostlight Records released the original Broadway cast recording digitally on June 7, 2019, which sold well. The cast recording surpassed 200 million streams in the US and 350 million streams globally by February 2020, demonstrating the show’s widespread popularity.
The Demos! The Demos! The Demos!
Ghostlight released Beetlejuice – The Demos! The Demos! The Demos! on October 30, 2020, compiling material composer-lyricist Perfect recorded between 2014 and 2019 during the development of the musical. It features both final and cut songs from the show as well as commentary by Perfect, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
Awards and Nominations
2019 Tony Awards
| Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Best Musical | Beetlejuice | Nominated |
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Alex Brightman | Nominated |
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Kerry Butler | Nominated |
| Best Scenic Design of a Musical | David Korins | Nominated |
| Best Costume Design of a Musical | William Ivey Long | Nominated |
| Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Kenneth Posner | Nominated |
| Best Sound Design of a Musical | Peter Hylenski | Nominated |
| Best Direction of a Musical | Alex Timbers | Nominated |
Other Major Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Nominated |
| 2019 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Nominated |
| 2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Nominated |
| 2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Alex Brightman) | Nominated |
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Pop Culture Crossover
In October 2020, Alex Brightman voiced Beetlejuice in an episode of the animated series Teen Titans Go!, bringing the character to a new generation of fans and demonstrating the musical’s cultural reach beyond the stage.
Commercial Phenomenon
Beetlejuice The Musical has proven to be one of Broadway’s most commercially successful shows of the late 2010s and early 2020s. Despite facing challenges including forced theater relocations and pandemic closures, the show has bounced back multiple times, demonstrating remarkable resilience and audience appeal. The musical’s blend of gothic humor, heartfelt emotion, and spectacular production values has created a devoted fanbase that has sustained the show through three Broadway runs and a highly profitable national tour.
The show’s success represents a new model for Broadway musicals based on film properties, proving that with the right creative team and respect for the source material, film-to-stage adaptations can find their own theatrical identity while honoring what made the original beloved. Eddie Perfect’s irreverent score, the sharp book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, and Alex Brightman’s star-making performance as Beetlejuice have all contributed to creating a show that stands on its own merits while paying homage to Tim Burton’s original vision.
Looking Forward
With a West End production planned for 2026, continuing international productions, and the possibility of future Broadway returns, Beetlejuice has established itself as a modern musical theater staple. The show’s themes of grief, connection, and finding your place in the world (or the afterlife) continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, ensuring its place in the Broadway canon for years to come.
