BEETLEJUICE Broadway At The Paramount April 2 through April 7th, 2024 Opening Night Review
BEETLEJUICE
Book by: Scott Brown and Anthony King
Music and Lyrics by: Eddie Perfect
Directed by: Alex Timbers
Premera Blue Cross Broadway At The Paramount
Seattle, WA
Book by: Scott Brown and Anthony King
Music and Lyrics by: Eddie Perfect
Directed by: Alex Timbers
Premera Blue Cross Broadway At The Paramount
Seattle, WA
Beetlejuice On Tour Official Site
Review: Tuesday April 2nd, 2024
Before I dive into this review let me just say how I felt about last night's performance in one word: fun!
There are times when I walk to a venue, in this case the Paramount Theatre, and you can just feel the anticipation from the patrons as they enter the building. Families with children, couples, friends meeting friends, etc. The demographic that arrived for the sold-out opening night of “Beetlejuice” was all over the proverbial map.
Many arrived in the infamous black and white striped suits (or variations of it). The “Lydia’s” of greater Seattle also showed up in their gothic black outfits, waiting to relive the film through a new lens with a live rambunctious audience. This was going to be a good one and the show hadn’t even started yet.
The show walked such a great line between comedy, music, drama, social issues, and the underlying story of loneliness and missing those that have passed, that it really couldn’t have been done any better in my opinion.
From Barbara (Megan McGinnis) and Adam (Will Burton), the newly deceased couple that find themselves face to face with none other than Beetlejuice (Justin Collette) to the new family that moves in to their home Charles (Jesse Sharp), his soon to be new wife Delia (Sarah Litzsinger), and Charle’s daughter Lydia (Isabella Esler), the cast could not have been stronger. My goodness, the amount of sheer laughter coming from the audience was arguably the most I’ve ever experienced at any live theatre experience - ever (not just the amazing Broadway at The Paramount shows).
The comedy and improvisation background of Mr. Colette really lent itself to his portrayal of Beetlejuice. His comedic timing was impeccable and he milked the crowd any time it seemed appropriate (which was most of the evening).
Ms. Esler was stunning as Lydia. She portrayed the character with so much depth that you really felt for her and the position she found herself in. Her singing voice was magnificent as well. A total package that will be lighting up the stage for decades to come I reckon.
Big laughs came from Ms. Litzinger’s portrayal of Delia and Mr. Sharp’s character of Charles. They had great comedic chemistry together and they had the audience rolling on many occasions last night.
The staging and special F/X were outstanding and just added to the Tim Burton-esque qualities of the film translated for the stage. The transitions inside the home worked seamlessly and it was just a marvel to behold how this production was put together to transport the audience into another world.
What else can I say? This show had it all. And, as I mentioned earlier, the crowd at any live event really makes a difference. Just like attending a pop/rock/metal/etc concert, the more the crowd is into it, the more the performers feed off of that energy and send it right back out into the crowd. The patrons were hooting, hollering, yelling, whistling, and just having an amazing time!
A top notch, incredibly fun, production that is sure to please the hardcore Beetlejuice film fan and the musical theatre fan as well.
Highly, highly, recommended.
“Beetlejuice” runs through Sunday April 7th. The entire run sold-out weeks ago (unfortunately) so your only credible option is the reseller market on Ticketmaster.com (buy at your own risk through other third party sites not affiliated with Ticketmaster) or you may get lucky the day of if a single seat becomes available (like my plus one’s friend did on opening night at the box office). More show information is available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links and Email Contact Here
Review: Tuesday April 2nd, 2024
(Pictured (L-R): Isabella Esler (Lydia) and Justin Collette (Beetlejuice) Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2022)
Before I dive into this review let me just say how I felt about last night's performance in one word: fun!
There are times when I walk to a venue, in this case the Paramount Theatre, and you can just feel the anticipation from the patrons as they enter the building. Families with children, couples, friends meeting friends, etc. The demographic that arrived for the sold-out opening night of “Beetlejuice” was all over the proverbial map.
Many arrived in the infamous black and white striped suits (or variations of it). The “Lydia’s” of greater Seattle also showed up in their gothic black outfits, waiting to relive the film through a new lens with a live rambunctious audience. This was going to be a good one and the show hadn’t even started yet.
The show walked such a great line between comedy, music, drama, social issues, and the underlying story of loneliness and missing those that have passed, that it really couldn’t have been done any better in my opinion.
(Pictured (L-R): Isabella Esler (Lydia),Will Burton (Adam) and Megan McGinnis (Barbara). Photo byDan Norman, 2023.)
From Barbara (Megan McGinnis) and Adam (Will Burton), the newly deceased couple that find themselves face to face with none other than Beetlejuice (Justin Collette) to the new family that moves in to their home Charles (Jesse Sharp), his soon to be new wife Delia (Sarah Litzsinger), and Charle’s daughter Lydia (Isabella Esler), the cast could not have been stronger. My goodness, the amount of sheer laughter coming from the audience was arguably the most I’ve ever experienced at any live theatre experience - ever (not just the amazing Broadway at The Paramount shows).
The comedy and improvisation background of Mr. Colette really lent itself to his portrayal of Beetlejuice. His comedic timing was impeccable and he milked the crowd any time it seemed appropriate (which was most of the evening).
Ms. Esler was stunning as Lydia. She portrayed the character with so much depth that you really felt for her and the position she found herself in. Her singing voice was magnificent as well. A total package that will be lighting up the stage for decades to come I reckon.
Big laughs came from Ms. Litzinger’s portrayal of Delia and Mr. Sharp’s character of Charles. They had great comedic chemistry together and they had the audience rolling on many occasions last night.
(Justin Collette (Beetlejuice) and Tour Company of Beetlejuice. Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2022)
The staging and special F/X were outstanding and just added to the Tim Burton-esque qualities of the film translated for the stage. The transitions inside the home worked seamlessly and it was just a marvel to behold how this production was put together to transport the audience into another world.
What else can I say? This show had it all. And, as I mentioned earlier, the crowd at any live event really makes a difference. Just like attending a pop/rock/metal/etc concert, the more the crowd is into it, the more the performers feed off of that energy and send it right back out into the crowd. The patrons were hooting, hollering, yelling, whistling, and just having an amazing time!
A top notch, incredibly fun, production that is sure to please the hardcore Beetlejuice film fan and the musical theatre fan as well.
Highly, highly, recommended.
“Beetlejuice” runs through Sunday April 7th. The entire run sold-out weeks ago (unfortunately) so your only credible option is the reseller market on Ticketmaster.com (buy at your own risk through other third party sites not affiliated with Ticketmaster) or you may get lucky the day of if a single seat becomes available (like my plus one’s friend did on opening night at the box office). More show information is available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links and Email Contact Here
(Pictured (L-R):Britney Coleman (Barbara),Will Burton (Adam), Isabella Esler (Lydia) and Justin Collette (Beetlejuice). Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2022)
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