Manhattan’s Theater District keeps summoning that troublemaking ghost in the shabby suit.
The musical, based on director Tim Burton’s 1988 film, Beetlejuice, made its Broadway debut April 25, 2019. Some initial reviews were less than enthusiastic, but the show built a healthy following through word of mouth and social media. The COVID pandemic shut down Broadway in March 2020, but Beetlejuice returned on April 8, 2022 for a nine-month run.
The show spent most of the next three years touring nationally, including a stop at Straz Oct. 24-29, 2023. The conclusion of the tour brought the show back to Broadway in October 2025 for a three-month stint.
How did this show, based on an almost 20-year-old movie, become the musical to which Broadway can’t say no? Some thoughts:
In the musical, Lydia Deetz is mourning the death of her mother, while in the film her morbid obsessions might as well be accessories included with her black goth wardrobe. Winona Ryder’s performance as Lydia in the film was stellar, but the musical’s altered story makes Lydia a more sympathetic character.
The musical also has far more Beetlejuice than did the film. Playing the title ghoul in the film, Michael Keaton was on screen for less than 20 of the film’s 90 minutes. Keaton was wonderful. He made an indelible impression on moviegoers in that brief time. However, since Beetlejuice is one of those can’t-take-your-eyes-off-him characters, why not give him more room to repulse in the stage production?
And why not have him sing? “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” hilariously establishes Beetlejuice’s sardonic persona. It also contains a gentle reminder to silence your electronic devices in the theater. To wit: “If I hear your cellphone ringing, I’ll kill you myself.”
Speaking of songs, Lydia’s “Dead Mom” suggests strongly that the teen has abandoned goth for emo.
While some hardcore fans of the film bemoan any divergence as sacrilege, non-hardliners won’t care and may not notice. Heaven knows Straz audiences loved Beetlejuice regardless of any differences with the film script when it first played here in 2023. If you’re dying to see it again, or kicking yourself for missing it the first time, our Broadway Encore series is bringing back Beetlejuice.
See Beetlejuice June 9-14 in Morsani Hall. For tickets or more information, check our site or call (813) 229-7827.