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Overview
Synopsis
Based on the film of the same name, Beetlejuice tells the story of the titular demon bio-exorcist (sometimes referred to as Betelgeuse) in his pursuit to be seen by the living again. When Barbara and Adam Maitland fall though the floor of their beloved home, Beetlejuice sees this as his opportunity to get what he wants. If these recently deceased can get a living human to say his name three times, he will be set free. His plan is quickly thrown off when one of the new members of the house is Lydia, a quick-witted and sharp-tongued girl. She tests Beetlejuice in a way he never imagined as well as befriending the Maitlands. As expected, chaos ensues as this crazy cast of characters finds their way to freedom and happiness, dead or alive.
Show Information
- Book
- Anthony King , Scott Brown
- Music
- Eddie Perfect
- Lyrics
- Eddie Perfect
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Beetlejuice, the film directed by Tim Burton
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2018
- Genres
- Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- The Maitland Home
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Beetlejuice the Musical is based on the 1988 film of the same name. The musical had its first tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. in October 2018 before opening on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on April 25, 2019. The production was nominated for 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show closed on March 10, 2020. The production re-opened on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 8,
to read the context for Beetlejuice and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
A priest presides over the funeral of Emily Deetz, the beloved wife of Charles Deetz and mother to Lydia, a dark and exceedingly bright young woman. Lydia is very upset seeing her mother’s casket (“Prologue - Invisible”). As the group mourns, Beetlejuice, a demon from the Netherworld, enters and explains to the audience how he needs someone alive to say his name three times so he can be seen by the living world and spread fear (“The Whole Being ‘Being Dead’ Thing Part 1”).
to read the plot for Beetlejuice and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- “Prologue: Invisible” - Lydia
- “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” - Beetlejuice, Company
- “Ready, Set, Not Yet” - Barbara, Adam
- “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing Part 2” - Barbara, Adam, Beetlejuice, Company
- “Dead Mom” - Lydia
- “Fright of Their Lives” - Beetlejuice, Adam, Barbara
- “Ready Set (Reprise) - Adam, Barbara
- “No Reason” - Lydia, Delia
- “Invisible (Reprise)/ On the Roof” - Beetlejuice, Lydia
- “Say My Name” - Beetlejuice, Lydia, Adam, Barbara
- “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” - Delia, Charles, Lydia, Maxine, Maxie, Adam, Barbara, Beetlejuice
Act Two
- “Girl Scout”- Sky, Lydia
- “That Beautiful Sound” - Beetlejuice, Lydia, Company
- “Barbara 2.0” - Barbara, Adam
- “What I Know Now” - Miss Argentina, Company
- “Home” - Lydia
- “Creepy Old Guy” - Beetlejuice, Lydia, Delia, Charles, Barbara, Adam
- “Jump in the Line (Shake, Señora) / Dead Mom (Reprise) / Home (Reprise) / Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) [Reprise]" – Lydia, Charles, Barbara, Adam and Delia
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
The sequence of steps and movements in dance, also the orchestrated and rehearsed movements for actors, based on the script.
Also called “black comedy,” takes a pessimistic view of the world.
When an actor breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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