If there’s one thing Beetlejuice the Musical guarantees, it’s a wild blend of madness and ghostly fun—and this Australian production at the Regent Theatre delivers in spades. Drawing its eccentric spirit from Tim Burton’s 1988 cult film, the musical has had a turbulent journey. It premiered on Broadway in 2019 but was abruptly halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, following a hiatus, it returned to Broadway in April 2022 before embarking on a successful U.S. tour.
Written by Scott Brown and Anthony King, the musical’s book somewhat follows the film’s plot. Barbara and Adam Maitland, a recently deceased couple, find themselves trapped in their former home, unable to move on. In a desperate attempt to rid the house of its new inhabitants, they enlist Beetlejuice, a mischievous demon with a penchant for chaos. What follows is a whirlwind of supernatural mayhem and unexpected lessons about life and death.
What sets this Australian production apart is its lead actor, Eddie Perfect—the Melbourne-born composer responsible for the show’s music and lyrics. Perfect is no stranger to Australian audiences; his career spans cabaret, theatre and television. Notably, he also earned a Tony Award nomination for his work on Beetlejuice: The Musical.
The opening night crowd I watched Beetlejuice with was primed for campy one-liners and spooky vibes—and the show didn’t disappoint. Even the stormy weather outside played along, helping everyone get into the spirit of the production—pardon the pun. Perfect’s darkly biting musical score provided the backbone for all the madcap onstage antics.
Karis Oka, dressed entirely in black upon her first entrance, shines as Lydia Deetz, capturing the gothic angst of a girl grappling with the sudden death of her mother, struggling to embrace adulthood and unable to move on. Her standout number, “Creepy Old Guy,” is a humorous group performance she delivers with conviction just before marrying Beetlejuice, a much older (think pedophile) demon she’s not particularly fond of.
Elise McCann and Rob Johnson, as the recently electrocuted Barbara and Adam Maitland, evoke the charm of a married couple straight out of a 1960s-style television show. Meanwhile, Erin Clare and Tom Wren infuse their roles as Delia and Charles—Lydia’s charismatic life coach and forward-thinking father—with a wicked blend of passion and a touch of sexuality.
Three individuals who deserve special recognition for their contributions to the production are set designer David Korins, special effects master Jeremy Chernick, and lighting designer Ken Posner. The show is visually spectacular, with no expense spared, resulting in a kaleidoscope of colour that is truly a feast for the eyes.
Two performers stood out to me. Angelique Cassimatis sparkled as Miss Argentina, delivering a knockout performance with ‘What I Know Now’ that nearly stole the show. Her appearance breathes life into the second act, ushering us into the Netherworld. And Eddie Perfect, true to his name, embodied Beetlejuice with vaudevillian flair, balancing the craziness with a commanding and committed performance.
The show is a slick, high-energy ride packed with explosions, giant snakes, and the occasional amputated limb. Since it’s a show about death, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and the relentless silliness can sometimes wear thin. Purists, be warned: the musical doesn’t stay completely true to the film’s storyline. Still, the performances, special effects, and staging make it worth watching.
Whether you’re a fan of the film or just looking for something different, Beetlejuice the Musical proves that sometimes, the afterlife is more entertaining than the real world.
Photography – Michelle Grace Hunder
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