BEETLEJUICE - Pre-Broadway Tryout in DC- Page 10

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 2:13pm

As far as I know regard to the board the “amount of nagativity” is coming from one person only making 5-6 posts.

It’s by no means a bad show. And whoever doesn’t like Brightman, well, sad day for them.

[Finch]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 4:09pm

I saw it last Saturday, and really liked it.  There were a couple of sections that were just too wordy, and had to be edited/rewritten, or .....

I have seen a number of tryouts in DC, from Beyond the Fringe [1964, I think] to Mean Girls [last year].  This is, as far as I am concerned, one of the better ones.  Some of those on this board are making it out to be a Shogun or Mata Hari.  That, it is NOT!!  Although it is not a DEH [also a DC tryout], it is still a fun, excellent technically presented show. 

However.I am questioning its sales popularity.  About 4 hours ago, a special pricing announcement was posted for tickets for the performances this coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday [11/6-7-8].  The orchestra and mezzanine, which have been in the $104, are only $49 for these dates.  I just got tickets for may daughter and son-in-law.

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 6:15pm

MadsonMelo said: "It’s by no means a bad show."

Yes, it is. Ignoring,  for the moment,  that it bares little resemblance to the the film, the music is bad, the lyrics are bad,  the plot seems to change three of four times,  some songs are longer than necessary,  and then there's act 2. That boy band was embarrassingly horrible,  and that whole part of the show dragged.  Not to mention,  plot-wise, made absolutely no sense. 

"And whoever doesn’t like Brightman, well, sad day for them."

I didn't care for him,  but then again he was doing an impersonation of Michael Keaton. And while I know that he's not entirely responsible,  turning Beetlejuice into a non-stop sex offender was annoying. 

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 9:22pm

some of you people drive me crazy. If its too much like the film you complain "what was the point", "its just the movie onstage". If its not enough like the film "ITS NOTHING LIKE THE FILM" 

[Patty3]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 11:15am

Saw it Thursday night. We were Row B on aisle side Orch. In some numbers there was a lot going on and it would have been nice to be back a little further.I’m a big fan of the movie and OK with them changing the story and character focus. I liked the show but my only complait is the vulgarity. I loved The Book of Mormon. The vulgarity in that show was clever and funny. The vulgarity in Beetlejuice was neither. Anyone can just say “F” you. I am not sure why they needed to do that. I also saw several young children in the audience so the warning that is on the website us not getting out there. The performances and set/costumes were fantastic. I even liked some if the music (although I wouldn’t mind if they cut the dead mother song). They have 4 months till Broadway. They can keep the vulgarity - just find a way to tailor it to a more sophisticated NY audience. I got an email survey and gave them this feedback.

Updated On: 11/3/18 at 11:15 AM

[hartless]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 11:33am

I’ve seen the show twice now and “Dead Mom” is the only song I left the theatre humming to myself and hearing in my head all week. I rather enjoy Lydia’s songs and the focus being on her.


But I agree about the vulgarity—some of the sex jokes are low brow and unfunny.

I’m seeing the show again with a friend next week, which is after their opening night. I think the show is enjoyable and fun and so much stronger than the film in story and character development. Not everything about it appeals to me, but writers of commercial theatre have to cast a wide net to appeal to the biggest audience and I think they are on the right track.

It would just be a shame if they cut “Dead Mom” or “Everything Happens for a Reason” (Delia and Lydia’s song)—I’m just selfishly a fan of those numbers. Hah.

[freewilma]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 11:51am

$49 orchestra seats for performances Nov. 6-8 using the cod FLASH2 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 12:00pm

Caruso’s duet with Leslie is amazing, they can’t cut lol

[kjck89]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:18am

Beetlejuice is wrapping up its 3rd week tonight and I've seen the show 2 times.

I really love the show, and I think it will do well when it transfers to Broadway.

Strengths of the show:

The set, costume, and props are superb and really capture the quirkiness of Beetlejuice. 

The casting was on point in my opinion. There is great chemistry between the actors particularly for the 3 pairs (Beetlejuice & Lydia), (Barbara & Adam), (Charles & Delia). Alex is his own Beetlejuice and not an imitation of Michael Keaton's.  Also, the vocals are just incredible. Sophia has a rock and roll voice and an effortless cool vibe about her that I think is a refreshing take on Lydia. Rob & Kerry do a great job of being the very loveable yet clueless recently deceased couple. The greatest and pleasantly surprising scene stealers are Leslie and Adam because they have the funniest lines and incredible comedic timing.

I also love the original songs, with Dead Mom and the Everything Happens for a Reason (Lydia & Delia's duet) just got really stuck in my head. The Banana Boat song was just incredible and I thought way better than the movie.

The show also feels big. It feels like there are more actors than there actually are in the company because of the numerous costume changes for the ensemble, props, and Beetlejuice has A LOT of tricks up his sleeve and they showcase that. This does not seem like an easy show to put together each night and there is very intricate choreography between the actors/crew to achieve the magic of Beetlejuice which is just amazing.

It feels interactive. It's been a while since I saw a show that even acknowledges the audience (I think the only show I've personally really seen that is Hedwig) and there are a few numbers when the characters are performing for the audience which draws loud cheers and claps. People have also come dressed up in Beetlejuice-esque attires with the green hair, masks, crowns which makes it such a fun/informal night at the theatre. There are so many parts that I wanted to get up and dance but I remembered I was at a musical and not a concert. 

Improvements:

I do think some songs could be reworked or cut shorter and for me it is the Opening Number, Girl Scout, and Everything is Meh. Boy Inferno's number feels too long.

I also felt at times there was too much going on at the same time especially when it came to Beetlejuice's tricks. It was all super entertaining, but I do think a lot of really great stage work gets overlooked by the audience simply because you just weren't looking or you blinked.

 

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I do think at the end when Beetlejuice dies after living for 30 seconds and then turns over a new leaf and his mom becomes the "new villain" needs to be reworked. This resolution feels extremely rushed, also his exit (considering being the titular character) was a little underwhelming.

The explicit warning:

I've read a lot of comments saying some of the jokes went too far, but I thought it fit Beetlejuice's character perfectly. He is meant to be unapologetic, intolerable, and disgusting. If you frequently watch stand-up comedy I think you won't be as shocked. I would suggest bringing someone 15+.

There really wasn't anything that changed after 9 days between the shows I watched, but one of the cast members told me the changes have been there but very detailed and would be very hard to notice. It will be interesting to see how much it  changes when it transfers to Broadway but I really hope the cast stays intact because it's a fantastic company!

 

[LLW2]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:15pm

Washington Post review is in and they hated it. I'm bummed because I liked it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/the-new-beetlejuice-musical-is-overcaffeinated-overstuffed-and-virtually-charmless/2018/11/04/66b21146-dfe3-11e8-b732-3c72cbf131f2_story.html?utm_term=.25f9ae9f8b52

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 11:21pm

That's why I'm not a critic. I couldn't have said it any better!

[bmfc1]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 7:01am

I don't know what show he saw because we really liked it.  Too bad that Mr. Marks' head had an obstructed view. 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:21am

It’s funny that the boyband number feels dated but the movie is not current, I personally laughed so hard at that because evokes nostalgia.

Also, to complain about Brightman’s maybe it’s a thing because the movie we don’t get that much of Beetlejuice but if we did, it would be just like did.

Also, pretty sure the humor will get a lot of backfire but it’s actually what they wanted, so I guess it’s not a problem.

Hope the Broadway crítica reacts better.

[sfs1414]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:27am

I really think this critic hit the nail perfectly on the head with this review.

I have to say the boyband number was one of the least funny things I've seen on stage in a very long time. It has to GO. Instead, let Miss Argentina have the number. The audience wants to see those iconic characters. It seemed like they didn't know what to do with them so they literally just came on stage and stood there. It almost felt like a place marker, like they didn't have time in rehearsal to give them anything to do.... lazy.

 

[mattyp4]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 3:00pm

LightsOut90 said: "some of you people drive me crazy. If its too much like the film you complain "what was the point", "its just the movie onstage". If its not enough like the film"ITS NOTHING LIKE THE FILM""

There's a way to strike a balance. Hairspray comes to mind. As does The Producers, The Lion King & Little Shop of Horrors. I really enjoyed what they did with Groundhog Day. And I am hearing positive things out of Chicago regarding Tootsie. But Beetlejuice was mostly a mess. And it was a definite wasted opportunity. They massacred the movie script, which was already pretty perfect. The plot for the stage show was muddled & difficult to follow.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 4:17pm

Variety : hated it as well 

 

Brighton, by contrast, wears out his welcome almost instantly his with incessant crudeness, tiresome antics and annoying voice. This stage version of the character could be reined in for everyone’s benefit.

 

 

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 4:26pm

What are the chances Alex doesn't transfer with the
show to broadway?

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 6:16pm

That’s a problem, indeed.

But Brightman’s performance is the synthesis of the show biggest issue: it’s humor.

So, I think it’s more a book problem intervening in an actor’a performance first and foremost

[Sauja]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 6:41pm

Yowza! I haven’t been following the comments here and do already have a ticket for the broadway run. But the Washington Post and Variety reviews are BRUTAL.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 7:00pm

Bwayfan292 said: "What are the chances Alex doesn't transfer with the
show to broadway?"

I wonder how true those Norbert rumors were.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 9:39pm

Warner Bros. should be SCARED by these reviews, especially after the bath they took with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

It feels kind of like Addams Family 2.0 –– except that had the cushion of Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. Addams brought in Jerry Zaks to take over as director (from a duo who had never directed on Bway before), but the score/story was still a problem. With Beetlejuice, Timbers' work seems like it's fine, but the writing needs an overhaul. I wonder if Beetlejuice will "seek help?"

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:03pm

Marks is always widely inconsistent in his reviews

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:05pm

It doesnt help that the book writers only have one prior book credit (Guttenberg which is another strange little musical that Timbers directed back in the day) if i was WB i would possibly bring in a doctor to pull apart and rebuild that second act 

[mattyp4]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:09pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "It feels kind of like Addams Family2.0 –– except that had the cushion of Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. Addams brought in Jerry Zaks to take over as director (from a duo who had never directed on Bway before),but the score/story was still a problem. With Beetlejuice, Timbers' work seems like it's fine, but the writing needs an overhaul. I wonder if Beetlejuice will "seek help?""

I think Beetlejuice needs MAJOR rewrites & a whole new score. I would rather them replace the composer over recasting Alex Brightman. (I didn't love Brightman but he'd probably fare better with stronger material.) Although that comment a couple posts up about Norbert Leo Butz really intrigued me... 

 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 10:30pm

I'd kill for Tim Michin to write and star in this.