I'm waiting to hear more reactions- and probably some score samples. On the one hand, a bad score can sink a show. On the other hand, Mean Girls has thrived despite people almost uniformly agreeing the score is the weakest of its elements.
I don't really know why I'm so excited for this, but I really am and I'm eagerly awaiting more reviews. Hopefully this is good, and the sets looked very cool from the clips I saw on Instagram
The composer for this was between a rock and a hard place, to be sure: if he DIDN'T write a piece rooted in the herky-jerky Jewish folk and kitschy calypso sounds of the film, it wouldn't be Beetlejuice in one of the most essential ways. But if he does, he's "just aping the film's sound."
There are very few non-musical movies where just the style and genre of the soundtrack is as essential to the piece as "Beetlejuice," and that's why I figured Tim Minchin, who doesn't sound like Elfman but writes in a similarly idiosyncratic, dark-whimsical style, would have been the perfect fit as composer.
So far we only have one review saying the Score isnt that great, Keep in mind everyone has different tastes in music, so it could be bad for them but might be really good for other people. Untill other reviews come in I wouldnt call it a train wreck just yet.
Social media reports have been very positive so far
Really, one person's comment gives you "train wreck"? Glad we know you are a glass half empty kind of person.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I was at the first preview tonight, and this show is very much like mean girls. Its almost a carbon copy of the movie with a rather weak score. The music was very unforgettable with the exception of a shortened Banana Boat song. Theres a song called “Girl Scout” that was a mess. I wouldn’t say its really bad, has a few great songs, its just that when I think Beetlejuice I expect this super super creepy and nervous energy vibe Kerry Butler and Lesli Kritzer are fantastic in these roles they had great comedic timing. Rob Mcclure was also great, (I would give him a tony nomination) Alex brightman is giving a great performance but just like his dewey finn its exactly like the movie. Sets were good, better than most of the sets we see In theatre.
To me the only standout, was the costumes. I thought they were very nice and well designed. Nothing about this is new, we’ve seen it all before, I mean heck the animated cartoon gave these characters more life than this production. I may be being a little too harsh, but Beetlejuice is one of my favorite movies and I had a high expectation. The audience was eating it up though. This has the potential to be a great show, but its just not there right now. If anything I hope Beetlejuice doesn’t think the score is set. I preferred Mean girls score over this and that was terrible. This is an entertaining show, but it can be such a better show if they remove the kinks thats its in. I enjoyed myself but couldn’t stop thinking well if they did this way then that would be great, if they did that way..
Overall, I hope they use this out of town tryout to good use and I hope they don’t think this show is perfect, because its certainly far from it. A great example would be that this reminds me so much of the Adams family. Last thought, this show just seemed like a scary carnival attraction. Instead of digging into the movie and breathing new life into it, they rushed through almost every plot point to get through it as fast as they can. I will certainly not be saying Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in fear of sitting through this again.
I'd wait for B'way - especially because you already decided it was a train wreck....but it's your money and time.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Why the f*** are you commenting like you were there? I think they can decide if they wanna see it or not. Don't take my review and act like you were the one there."
Alex M said: "Catsbroadwayfan said: "GreeneStreet said: ""
Why the f*** are you commenting like you were there? I think they can decide if they wanna see it or not. Don't take my review and act like you were the one there."