Beetlejuice (Washington DC)

See it if You’re a fan of the film or of blockbuster musical comedies. Though not exactly like the movie, fans will still enjoy it & the performances.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a family show. There are a ton of sex jokes & profanity, most of which is unnecessary (the other jokes are good!).

See it if you’re not too familiar with the movie & you enjoy dark, irreverent, juvenile humor. (The sets & costumes look great. I’ll give them that.)

Don't see it if you cherish the movie b/c not much works here! They try to make the show their own but the plot is confusing. And the music is forgettable.

Also I REALLY wanted to like this show but I could not get into it. They took a perfectly good movie script & massacred it so as to make it their own. The new plot was convoluted & confusing. The movie script was so simple & wonderfully weird & brilliant. They messed with it way too much. (FWIW my friends weren’t too familiar with the movie but they enjoyed this show.)

They also made the Beetlejuice character really vulgar & crude, which I DID like, but the jokes were dumb & sophomoric. Some of them were even borderline offensive. (Pass!) It will really make you miss Michael Keaton.

And the music doesn't work. If you’re going to make the show edgy & irreverent then have a score to match. These songs were tuneless, generic, musical theater crap-pop. It sounded like every other forgettable pop score from the past decade. (And that boy band number has got to go. Those jokes are so TIRED.)

The sets & costumes looked fantastic. It's a visually stunning show. But overall I was SO disappointed.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of the movie, the actors or just having a great time in general

Don't see it if you are prudish about language or situations (and please don't bring kids under 10 if you don't want them exposed to these things)

See it if you want a fun show rife with raunchy humor and familiar visuals. Holds true to aesthetics, and nods to signature elements from the movie.

Don't see it if you’re a purist about the movie, or you’re looking for a family night activity with kids. Even crasser than the movie. Not for all ages.

Also it’s a mixed bag as far as which ‘updated’ elements work and which do not. Delia has a new twist, and Leslie Kritzer absolutely owns the part. Rob McClure delights as Adam, though the couple’s songs are largely unmemorable. Alex Brightman channels Keaton’s portrayal of Beetlejuice, which gives the role a great sense of familiarity, but he also gives himself adequate leeway to play around and put his own take on it. Vocally, Sophia Anne Caruso stands out, even among her Broadway veteran costars. Her songs showcase her range and powerful belt, and she really seems to be in her element. A few pre-NYC tweaks would be worthwhile (here’s looking at you, Otho’s Zoolander-esque entourage-laden entrance), but if you just want to have a fun night and you don’t get hung up on changes from the movie, overall it’s a good time.... Read more Read less

See it if You like silly, raunchy, pop musicals

Don't see it if You're looking for something with a lot of depth

See it if you enjoy a musical comedy that uses a beloved film as source material, but puts a unique spin on the story. See it if you like crass humor.

Don't see it if you're offended by crass humor, don't like entertainment for the sake of entertainment, want gripping drama, or prefer long book scenes.

See it if you want to laugh, see great staging, and enjoy super talented leads.

Don't see it if you are going out with your children for a show.

Also Okay, I loved this show. Lydia killleddddd it! Beetlejuice was also pretty good. I saw him when he was the lead in SOR in NYC. I also thought the parts of the plot that strayed from the movie, actually made the movie make more sense. The storyline flowed better than the original film and there were nods to the original movie everywhere. I will say, however, that I was slightly disturbed by the amount of children (significantly under the age of 10) that were there). I am all for not sugarcoating the truth from children, but I don't even have children and felt awkward for them. I think it is a great show for people over the age of 16. I just think under that, you may have to answer questions as a parent you are not ready for. I digress, great show, great acting, AMAZING staging (set designer for Hamilton), and you should see it!... Read more Read less

See it if you really love old movies expensively brought to life as Broadway level musicals that cost 21 million dollars.

Don't see it if you require realism and more substance. It does have excellent performances and singing, though.

See it if You want to be thoroughly entertained and won't mind an inventive new take on the story that leaves all the beloved characters in tact.

Don't see it if If you want an exact replica of the movie or are easily frightened by loud noises and special effects or found the movie offensive in part.

Also This was so well done. The leads were perfect, there were laughs and surprises and unleashed talent galore on that stage, from the acting both over, Alex brightman, and understated. It went by so quickly the group I was with couldn't believe it was a little longer than normal. And the scenery, just wow. It does have the same somewhat tasteless jokes like the movie, no pg rating here The kids around me loved it including my 19yr old. Not to be missed. Thoroughly enjoyable... Read more Read less

See it if you like the movie and want to see how it has been translated to stage.

Don't see it if you don't like (unnecessarily) raunchy shows; you didn't like the movie;

Also I saw the movie a couple of weeks before seeing the show. I almost wish I hadn't as the movie is more enjoyable. The show is loud, over-produced and about 20 minutes too long. The music is unmemorable except, of course, for the two numbers that came from the movie -- the Banana Boat song and Shake Senora -- and they were not even original to the movie. Shake Senora was disappointing because it was like 30 seconds long and the audience clearly wanted more.The Banana Boat song I thought was actually the most amusing scene in the show. I would not recommend for kids -- to crude. I wouldn't recommend for seniors -- too loud. The sets are ambitious and impressive although technical difficulties stopped the performance I attended for about five minutes.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an original spin on the story w/ amazing stagecraft & performances. Even fans of the film will be surprised at what happens next!

Don't see it if you have young kids. It's got crude language/sexual references (PG-13). I probably wouldn't recommend this for anyone under age 18.

Also I've seen it twice now during previews. This show is seriously so entertaining and fun to watch! My mouth was sore from smiling so much. I'm usually skeptical of shows adapted from films, but this is a totally original take that adds humor and depth to the characters. It's a deliciously raunchy spectacle, but also tackles larger questions about life and death. And there's plenty of winks at elements from the film to leave everyone satisfied. Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice) and Sophia Anne Caruso (Lydia) are perfectly cast. Kerry Butler, Rob McClure and Leslie Kritzer are a joy to watch as well. Caruso absolutely kills it as Lydia - what a voice - and she's only 17 (might be a Tony Award nomination in her future)! The Burton-esque sets and magic tricks they pull off are to die for (pun intended). There's a few tweaks and rough edges to smooth over before Broadway, but it's very solid first pass.... Read more Read less

See it if You liked the movie or you like the idea of the movie. Alex Brightman was delightfully manic as beetlejuice.

Don't see it if You are easily offended by off color jokes and/or do not appreciate new musicals.

See it if you're a fan of the movie or want a really fun crazy musical experience.

Don't see it if you're easily offended, don't like musicals or expect exactly like the movie or are looking for something for young kids, it's very adult.

See it if You're a fan of the original film and/or love to laugh.

Don't see it if You are more conservative or want a more serious show. There is language and crude humor used.

Also This was a much needed improvement from the film which I found to be slow and left a lot of questions to be asked. Much better storytelling and lots of fun!... Read more Read less

See it if you just want to have a fun evening and don't mind crudity

Don't see it if you are offended by anything

See it if You like fast moving comedy with harmless quick jokes and overdone singing in character.

Don't see it if you expect excellent singing. Each character sings in his characters voice which detracts from three quality.

See it if You want to see a show that touched on many important topics as deaths family relationship in a satarical way. Great cast and set designs!

Don't see it if You are under the age of 14. This is a show meant for adults. May want to check out the film if haven’t seen it. second act a bit long.

See it if you're a fan of Beetlejuice and are looking for a fun night out.

Don't see it if you expect a lot of the original music or mind that a lot of the story heavily mimics/relies on the movie.

See it if You like a dirty joke

Don't see it if You want to bring the kids

See it if Lovers of the movie will go nuts! You love Alex Brightman who should lock up the Tony race finally.

Don't see it if The show still needs work. Kerry Butler & Rob McClure's roles should be more grounded. Sophia Anne Caruso's diction and projection are poor.

Also The show is still a little too cartoonish but, boy, is it entertaining! Great chorus and choreography, terrific set.... Read more Read less

See it if You love a big show with lots of bells and whistles, backed up by a strong score and plot.

Don't see it if You are sensitive to language and/or the occult. You have been warned, church ladies!

See it if Ummm... you really love set design or Alex Brightman???

Don't see it if You are not being forced to.

See it if If you appreciate crude and rude immature humor

Don't see it if You're a family looking to take your kids to a show

See it if You want to have a good time, don’t mind some dirty humor (not tons but I probably wouldn’t take kids).

Don't see it if You are easily offended

See it if you love the film Beetlejuice. The sets are incredible, the cast is hilarious, and the music fits. The book is so-so.

Don't see it if you don't know who Beetlejuice is. The show relies on you having seen the movie and it will be confusing for newcomers.

Also Making it Beetlejuice’s given job to usher the dead into the netherworld is an excellent addition to the character. Overall, Beetlejuice is a spectacular show with immense potential. That fact is, frankly, quite enough to satisfy considering it could have been a huge misstep, similar to the fate of Moulin Rouge. With the fabulous cast and crew carrying it through, Beetlejuice could be an absolute Broadway hit in the making.... Read more Read less