Overview
On the big screen, Beetlejuice is making a comeback, with a sequel currently in the works. The original 1988 film is rarely far from cinemas anyway, proving a staple at retrospective screenings. But watching the ghost with the most sing and dance onstage? That's a brand-new experience for Australian theatre audiences. Start chanting three times: seeing the Beetlejuice musical Down Under will become a reality in 2025.
Penned by the nation's own Eddie Perfect and debuting on Broadway in 2019, this take on Beetlejuice still focuses on the character from Tim Burton's beloved 80s flick, of course — just with songs and dance routines. Cinema's famous 'bio-exorcist' will start haunting Melbourne's Regent Theatre sometime in April 2025, in what'll be its Aussie-premiere run.
"While Beetlejuice began on stage in America, this show has a macabre sensibility and twisted humour that Australians will delight in," said Perfect, announcing the Aussie premiere.
"I always hoped it would have a life here at some point and I am thrilled that moment has finally arrived. I can't wait to share it with a home crowd for the first time."
"Australian fans were some of the loudest begging us to bring Beetlejuice to Australia. We listened and we can't wait to expand our community of Netherlings down under. We are thrilled to bring this hilarious and remarkably touching show to a whole new place and share the electrifying experience that audiences on Broadway, and now throughout North America, have fallen in love with," added Mark Kaufman, Beetlejuice Executive Producer and Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to head along, but you will spend time with a couple with one: Barbara and Adam Maitland. And, you'll see what happens when they start to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moves into their house and they decide they need that bio-exorcist.
When Beetlejuice first burst into picture palaces, it did so with The Flash's Michael Keaton, Stranger Things' Winona Ryder, Schitt's Creek's Catherine O'Hara, GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin all starring. Who'll follow in their footsteps in Melbourne is yet to be revealed.
No matter which actors take to the stage in the Beetlejuice musical's Aussie debut, audiences are in for an acclaimed production directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), and with a book by Emmy-nominee Anthony King (Broad City) and Scott Brown (Sharp Objects) — plus Perfect's Tony-nominated original score, of course.
The show picked up a whopping eight Tony nominations in 2019, and won Timbers a Drama League Award for Excellence in Directing, plus both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nods for set design.
The Beetlejuice musical will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, from April 2025 — head to the production's website for further information and to join the ticket waitlist.
Images: Matthew Murphy, 2022.