BEETLEJUICE Previews — Page 2

zainmax said: "Would the royalties be included in the weekly nut?

Also, do you think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cost more or less than Beetlejuice both in terms of cap and weekly nut?"


Royalties would be part of the weekly nut.

Don't know about cost comparisons, I haven't seen BJ. WB mostly self-financed Charlie, whereas BJ has a bunch of outside co-producer/investors.

Regardless, $21mil is huge. Especially since screen-to-stage adaptations of similarly beloved properties like Groundhog Day, Charlie, Rocky, Ghost, 9 to 5, and Big Fish all tanked.

WhizzerMarvin said: "What a night this been, what a rare mood I’m in, but it’s not like that felling called love.

What I’m feeling is more akin to Maria’s advanced state of shock.

Where to even begin. There is a camp/cringefest production number near the end of act two in which In My Life skeletons dance around the stage to my jaw-dropping disbelief.

The show begins with Lydia singing a weepy ballad, after which Beetlejuice pops out and says to the audience, “A ballad already? And such a departure from the source material!” Ok, so they’re not going to give us the movie- I’m down- but then throughout the evening they do end up putting in plenty of the gags and lines from the film, so not as much of a departure as we were originally led to believe.

The biggest change is one certainly made for the worse and that’s one of time. Beetlejuice is a dark comedy most assuredly, but it’s also scary, creepy, eerie and downright weird. The film also has style to spare. The musical goes for comedy, but none of the darkness and certainly none of the scary/weird/eccentric vibe. Instead we get jokes about kale salads, kombucha tasting like armpit and crowded Trader Joe’s parking lots. Jokes that wouldn’t even make their way out of The Big Bang Theory writer’s room.

The score is bad; the songs are tuneful I guess, but those lyrics! Myself here does NOT rhyme with help here! I guess it’s better than his score to King Kong, but talk about the lowest of bars to step over.

I’ll give the actors a lot of credit. They really are trying to make this work. I really have a big soft spot for Rob McClure and Kerry Butler and long to see them in better roles soon.

At one point in the show Beetlejuice threatens that even though his name is on the marquee, he will leave the show and we’ll be stuck with Rob and Kerry’s characters. “Yeah they’re boring. Even more boring than Brigadoon. I’ll say it: Fvck Brigadoon.” Well, let me tell you, I longed to hear Kelli O’Hara sing even 30 seconds of Brigadoon than listen to one more second of this score.

Mama Morton taught us about the importance of reciprocity, so let me return the favor: Fvck Beetlejuice!"

Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl.

Updated On: 3/29/19 at 12:02 AM

I was there tonight as well and I did see the DC production. It has changed a lot since then, especially Act 2. Act 1 changed Beetlejuice's entrance and I preferred him popping up from the pit. I am trying not to give spoilers. Lydia's entire design has changed, her wigs and dresses are all different, but "Dead Mom" is still haunting the middle of Act 1. The set is truly a work of art! Same with the lighting, (especially upon entering the theatre and at intermission) so many elements that just were done so well.

I'm just going to point out my opinion here, I actually felt the DC production was better, and that not saying much. I will first and foremost say that Leslie Kritzer is a DAMN STAR! I will say that she is absolutely in the running for a best supporting nomination. She makes Delia (and Miss Argentina) characters that are hysterical, plus her belting helps a lot. But she a damn fine comedic actress that you can tell worked hard to standout. Absolutely loved any moment she was on the stage. Rob & Kerry were cute and adorable. For those who saw the DC production or read about it...Act 2 is completely different...and long! No more Boy Band! It is replaced with Miss Argentina (Leslie Kritzer) in a full on song and dance number (that I actually enjoyed). Kerry's ballad about not having a child is gone and replaced with "Barbara 2.0", all about how and Rob are finally changing from being boring and dull. Kerry uses her vocals there. The show seemed to drag and drag. Funny moments and iconic characters from the movie are becoming lost. The ending song has merged, so that changed it up a bit. I think they were trying for an "awww" moment, but that was lost. Finally bows come and there is another 4 minutes of dancing. It just seemed off. People were already standing cause the principles bowed immediately, so it was awkward. Dancing is over and more bows. I just wanting so much more! I grew up with that movie. I just pray they use this time to really clean it up.

I will say the stickers they were handing out when you entered saying "I saw Beetlejuice on the first DAY-O" were cute and people were wearing them. Audience seemed to really enjoy it.

Just my thoughts!

Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

Oh just you wait....that damn song will haunt you as you leave the theatre! LOL! I stoped counting how many times it is said and sung.

Larkinfon said: "Was also there tonight. Woof....In short, the show needs an exorcism. F you Laurence."

I just spat out my cookie on the train.... LAURENCE! Truly one of the biggest WTF moments of the evening. Thanks for the laugh, Larkinfon!

HunterK said: "Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

Oh just you wait....that damn song will haunt you as you leave the theatre! LOL! I stoped counting how many times it is said and sung."

A viewing in DC was more than enuff por moi/poor me. Beetle dun lost his juice.

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "WhizzerMarvin said: "What a night this been, what a rare mood I’m in, but it’s not like that felling called love.

What I’m feeling is more akin to Maria’s advanced state of shock.

Where to even begin. There is a camp/cringefest production number near the end of act two in which In My Life skeletons dance around the stage to my jaw-dropping disbelief.

The show begins with Lydia singing a weepy ballad, after which Beetlejuice pops out and says to the audience, “A ballad already? And such a departure from the source material!” Ok, so they’re not going to give us the movie- I’m down- but then throughout the evening they do end up putting in plenty of the gags and lines from the film, so not as much of a departure as we were originally led to believe.

The biggest change is one certainly made for the worse and that’s one of time. Beetlejuice is a dark comedy most assuredly, but it’s also scary, creepy, eerie and downright weird. The film also has style to spare. The musical goes for comedy, but none of the darkness and certainly none of the scary/weird/eccentric vibe. Instead we get jokes about kale salads, kombucha tasting like armpit and crowded Trader Joe’s parking lots. Jokes that wouldn’t even make their way out of The Big Bang Theory writer’s room.

The score is bad; the songs are tuneful I guess, but those lyrics! Myself here does NOT rhyme with help here! I guess it’s better than his score to King Kong, but talk about the lowest of bars to step over.

I’ll give the actors a lot of credit. They really are trying to make this work. I really have a big soft spot for Rob McClure and Kerry Butler and long to see them in better roles soon.

At one point in the show Beetlejuice threatens that even though his name is on the marquee, he will leave the show and we’ll be stuck with Rob and Kerry’s characters. “Yeah they’re boring. Even more boring than Brigadoon. I’ll say it: Fvck Brigadoon.” Well, let me tell you, I longed to hear Kelli O’Hara sing even 30 seconds of Brigadoon than listen to one more second of this score.

Mama Morton taught us about the importance of reciprocity, so let me return the favor: Fvck Beetlejuice!"

Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."



You’re right. Lydia was so much more interesting when her fascination with the strange and unusual wasn’t mainly treated like a manifestation of her depression.

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "WhizzerMarvin said: "The worst part about this whole thing is that Beetlejuice really was great source material to musicalize. Sometimes stuff like Rocky that doesn’t scream, “Make these characters sing!” can leave you scratching your head, but this property should have been more of a slam dunk.

What a waste. "

I totally agree. Such a bummer, that finally we have a movie being adapted into a musical that I say “Okay see THIS makes sense to me as a musical!” And also the fact that Beetlejuice is a classic but there’s room for change and artistic liberty just as long as the sensibility stays the same.



This and Big Fish deserved WAYYYY better writing teams.

I mean why not have Danny Elfman write the songs? He wrote the original score"

I didn't think that the Big Fish songs were bad.

It may well still succeed at the box office. Brand recognition, less discerning crowd, etc. Case in point: Pretty Woman (which I actually enjoyed). Still, as a champion of Groundhog Day I'll be crushed if it lasts [whatadramaqueenIam].

HunterK said: "Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

Oh just you wait....that damn song will haunt you as you leave the theatre! LOL! I stoped counting how many times it is said and sung."

Oh, HECK...jettison those inferior songs and replace them with this classic. Lydia will receive a mid-performance standing ovulation fur shur. Papa=Mama. https://youtu.be/QwCPAo5e_F8