Roy Berko
If you are a MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, ADAMS FAMILY, and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW fan, you, like the duo of guys sitting near me, who were dressed in costumes which paralleled Beetlejuice’s stripped outfit, sang along with the songs, and found the exaggeration and slapstick hysterical, will become “Bettlejuicers.” If NEXT TO NORMAL, RENT, WEST SIDE STORY and SPRING AWAKENING are your thing, you’ll probably find the whole thing trite and ridiculous.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.Howard Gollop
Gratifyingly sandwiched between two "serious" Broadway musicals on the Playhouse Square slate this season -- "Hamilton" and "Hadestown" -- the hilarious "Beetlejuice" bursts forth with enough neon lights, strident bullseye performances, monstrous special effects and nonstop production numbers spilling out over the stage to scare away the winter blues like nothing else.
Sheri Gross
You might feel like you had an intense workout from the manic pace, and there is no arguing that there is definitely some sensory overload, but if you are up for some jaw-dropping antics, bawdy humor, a treasure trove of talent, and a couple of hours of faced-paced entertainment without having to think too hard, do yourself a favor and grab a ticket to the Netherworld, take a ride on the tale of a gigantic striped snake (when you know, you know), and conjure up a little chaos in the form of an irritating little demon; Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice…insert name here when you’re ready.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.
Mark Horning
Be warned, this is not the PG Beetlejuice movie that many of us are fond of. It is a harsher version with adult themes, language and situations. It is definitely not a show to bring young children to or for that matter adults who have trouble coping with death and trauma. If you love the macabre and do not mind the shock of loud music and bright lights then by all means buy a ticket.
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's Review here.
Chris Howey
Beetlejuice is a wild and hairy ride, featuring a seriously caffeinated cast, monsters galore from the netherworld, and more stage effects than almost any other three musicals combined. While a lot of the songs (music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect) are not deadening, none of them stays with you for long. But hell, you're not here for long either, so why worry? The only unfortunate choice in the book by Scott Brown and Anthony King is a desire to goose up heartfelt feelings in a show that would be more invigorating if it maintained a harder comic edge.
To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.
Laura Kennelly
Beetlejuice’s exuberant cast makes the simple script glow. Our “hero” is a demon from Hell (Justin Collette) who yearns for human company and begs to be called out so the living can see him (and thus, he can torment them). As he explains to the suicidal teen Lydia Deetz, one does this by saying his name three times. (So don’t say it, be careful, you wouldn’t want him around.)
Collette’s Beetlejuice fills the bill as the ego-centric monster. His over-the-top comic timing — Collette even makes fun of himself as he milks the audience for more applause — and boundless energy shapes the maniacal title character.
Bottom Line: Bouncy music, bouncy cast, flashy lights all combine to make a fun show, one that is, IMHO, far better than the film. Go for laughs and spooks, nothing is serious.
To see a full review of this show, read Laura's post here or at Cool Cleveland.
Joey Morona
BEETLEJUICE, the critic-proof musical about the dead that its dedicated Tik-Toking fans refuse to let die, is inventive, funny, entertaining. It's also exhausting.
To see a full review of this show, read Joey's posts here.
