The touring production of ‘Beetlejuice’ at Playhouse Square is a fright

First off, I loved the 1988 movie “Beetlejuice” starring Michael Keaton. Although dealing with a very dark subject (death) it was actually quite delightful to watch due mainly to the over the top performance by Keaton. It also carried a PG rating.

Then you have the touring Broadway musical production that in so many words is a bit too much. This is definitely not the show to take your children to. If I were to grade it as they do the movies I would give it an R rating for language, sexual content, overuse of strobe lights and an overly loud sound system. In so many words it is an evening of sensory overload. You are reminded a number of times that the show is about death (it is sung over and over). The overall lighting and macabre set and costumes further add to the creepiness factor.

The show opens with, what else, a funeral. Lydia Deetz (Isabella Esler) has lost her mother. Her father, Charles Deetz (Jesse Sharp), has hired Delia Schlimmer (Kate Marilley) to be Lydia’s “life coach” in order to bring the goth child out of her doldrums. Charles is having a not-so-secret tryst with Delia with plans of marriage.

At the funeral, Beetlejuice (Justin Collette) makes his appearance as an invisible demon, breaking the fourth wall and telling the audience that life is basically meaningless. He also reveals that if he can get one living human to say his name three times he will be restored to life and visibility, wreaking havoc on mankind.

Meanwhile, due to a tragic electrical accident, Adam Maitland (Will Burton) and his wife Barbara (Britney Coleman) have died (faulty wiring) in their Victorian mansion that they were restoring. The couple has spent their lives pursuing various hobbies in order to avoid parenthood. Following their death, Beetlejuice appears with a book of instructions for the recently deceased which he burns in order to have Adam and Barbara hire him as an afterlife guide and perhaps get a human to say his name three times.

Lydia, Charles and Delia move into the mansion. Charles has plans for a gated community with the grand house being the flagship model home. Everything is in a bit of a rush as he only has days to remodel the house before a dinner meeting with a possible investor, Maxie Dean (Brian Vaughn) and his wife Maxine (Karmine Alers). Meanwhile, Beetlejuice is giving fright lessons to the Maitlands but with scant success. He gives up so the couple decides to work to scare the intruders away on their own.

Lydia explores the house and finds the Maitlands (who she can see) where they have been sequestered in the attic. The three hatch a plan to scare Charles and Delia out of the house while reuniting Lydia with her mother. Lydia tries to tell Charles and Delia that the house is haunted but they refuse to believe her.

A depressed Lydia climbs to the roof with the intent of committing suicide because she feels neglected. There she meets Beetlejuice who convinces her not to kill herself and almost gets her to say his name three times. The Maitlands arrive and Beetlejuice possesses them to sing his praises. Lydia learns that even new ghosts have this power of possession and convinces Barbara and Adam to ruin Charles’ dinner party.

At the party, Barbara and Adam possess Charles, Delia, Maxie and Maxine to sing “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” but instead of frightening everyone away the Deans see the haunted house as a selling point.

Although dealing with dark subject matter, there are some positive aspects to the touring show. For one, the singing is extraordinary. Special mention to Isabella Esler who can really belt out a song. The choreography by Connor Gallagher is very well done. The puppets designed by Michael Curry are amazing (especially the giant sand worm). The ten-piece orchestra with Music Producer Matt Stine, Music Supervisor Kris Kukul and Director Andy Grobengieser is quite good, just too loud for many people’s tastes.

As for the actors, Justin Collette (Beetlejuice) did a fine job, putting his all into the high energy part. Isabella Esler (Lydia) is properly goth with a conniving streak and an unbelievable vocal range. Britney Coleman (Barbara) and Will Burton (Adam) are the model of the yuppy lifestyle and very convincing in their roles.

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.

“Beetlejuice” will be on stage in the Connor Palace at Playhouse Square, Cleveland, Ohio through January 29, 2023. For tickets and more information go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.