OBSERVER: Beetlejuice The Musical
In a sparkling theatrical week of three major opening nights, Melbourne’s musical theatre lovers scored the trifecta with the opening of the quirky, sensationally clever Beetlejuice The Musical at the Regent Theatre.
Presented by the Michael Cassel Group and Warner Bros., based on the 1988 horror comedy movie and book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, the lyrics and music for Beetlejuice The Musical are written by Melbourne’s very own Eddie Perfect, already earning him a Tony Award nomination.
Adding to Eddie’s songwriter/composer expertise is his outstanding triple threat performance in the title role of Beetlejuice (or Betelgeuse, fittingly the name of a star) – making him an awesomely talented quintuple threat.
It is weird that a show about death can be so enjoyable, but under Alex Timber’s energy-infused direction, the masterly combination of an entertaining script, splendid stage design, lighting, projection effects, puppetry, first-class cast and Perfect’s fabulous toe-tapping music played with gusto by Anthony Barnhill’s orchestra,
make this musical a wow theatrical experience.
Lydia Deetz (Karis Oka) grieves for her deceased mother, feels neglected by her father Charles (Tom Wren) and can connect with the dead.
After seeking help from mischievous, stripe-liking demon, Beetlejuice (Eddie Perfect) may
hem ensues when recently deceased Barbara and Adam Maitland (Elise McCann and Rob Johnson), are co-opted by Beetlejuice to haunt their former house now purchased by the Deetz family.
Elise McCann and Rob Johnson (Barbara and Adam) bring delightful normality to the show, as does Charles (Tom Wren). Erin Clare as Delia, the ‘life coach’ employed by Charles, seamlessly captures her transition from outsider to family member. Angelique Cassimatis was an audience favourite as dynamic Miss Argentina.
Terrific support performers and Ensemble complete the cast, showcasing their talented versatility.
But the co-star joining Eddie Perfect in this show is Karis Oka (Lydia Deetz), whose petite stature and gothic charm belies her powerhouse voice belting out the songs.
This show about death deserves a long and successful theatrical life.
Performance Details: Playing for a limited season.
Venue: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St., Melbourne
Bookings: Ticketek or beetlejuicethemusical.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Eddie Perfect a\nd Karis Oka in Beetlejuice. Photo: Benny Capp