The theatrical division of WB has a less-than-ideal reputation for how they execute these adaptations. Some things that seem like such perfect ideas for stage musicals (Charlie and BJ) come out and we’re all scratching our heads. They’re currently working on 17 Again and A Star Is Born, neither which I’m hopeful for.
I’m surprised they cut Kerry’s song in act two, as it’s one of the very few things that I thought was solid in DC. I’m ultimately disappointed that they kept Brightman. Those Norbert rumors really got me excited.
WB also has never really known what to do with BEETLEJUICE as a property. They had that weird animated series in the 90s, which I guess was well received if it got three seasons; then there was that horrible them park revue, that Brightman’s characterization seems to be pulled from; and the studio has been pushing for a sequel for decades. Which most of the important people (Winona, Keaton, Burton) are onboard for, but under the right circumstances.
Really sad that they didn’t actually learn much from the out of town tryout. Honestly, they should have gone back into labs/workshops, only keeping things that absolutely worked the first time, and opened a new show in the fall (an appropriate time of year for this to premiere).
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.