I wasn’t sure what to expect heading into Beetlejuice The Musical. I mean, the original Tim Burton film has like… two actual songs, and Michael Keaton’s ghost-with-the-most is so iconic — how do you recreate that without it feeling like glorified cosplay? I was prepared to politely enjoy a mildly spooky musical.

And then? My concerns got exorcised real fast.

This isn’t just a stage version of the movie — it’s a clever, chaotic, and totally its-own-thing reimagining. The main skeleton of the film is still there, but it’s been stitched together in a whole new way, and it just works. Big time.

The Movie You Loved Meets the Cartoon You Forgot

If you’re like me, you MAY remember two very different Beetlejuice's from the 80s: Keaton’s delightfully gross, chaotic villain from the 1988 film… and the unhinged-but-kinda-lovable trickster from the ‘89 Saturday morning cartoon — where he and Lydia were oddly wholesome besties. This musical? It smashes those two vibes together in the best way.

Beetlejuice here is still self-serving and messy, but he’s well, lonely. Lydia’s grieving and feeling invisible. So their chaotic connection is actually rooted in something surprisingly heartfelt. Their stories don’t just collide through spooky shenanigans — they’re tied together by a shared need to be seen. That emotional undercurrent makes the madness land even harder.

This Cast Absolutely Crushed It

Beetlejuice is in gloriously unhinged hands with Eddie Perfect, who goes full chaotic menace but somehow keeps it grounded with charm. He doesn’t just chew scenery — he explodes it into glitter. You can tell he’s having the time of his afterlife up there.

Karis Oka brings grit, power, and heart as Lydia. Her vocals? Spine-tingling. Her emotional range? Massive. She nails the role as the show’s beating heart — and absolutely owns the stage.

And then there’s Erin Clare as Delia, our glorious, chaotic life coach with the energy of three kombuchas and a moonstone. It’s campy, kooky brilliance, and you can’t look away.

Shoutout to Elise McCann and Rob Mallett as Barbara and Adam — the ghostly couple caught in the middle of it all. They bring warmth, awkward charm, and perfect comedic timing to balance the chaos.

‍Day-O and Damn, That Staging

Let’s talk music. Most of the songs are original to the musical (aside from a couple of iconic movie staples — you know the one), and honestly? Bangers. Think Hairspray energy: super catchy, toe-tapping, and easy to love even if you’ve never heard them before.

And the Day-O number? Jaw. On. The. Floor. They take one of the most iconic scenes from the movie and dial it up to chaotic, supernatural theatre madness. Just so much fun.

Is Beetlejuice The Musical worth seeing?

Look, Beetlejuice The Musical is an absolute blast. It’s weird, wild, and full of heart. And even if you think you know the story, this version brings something fresh and unexpected to the table. From giant Sandworms to full-on possession dance numbers, it’s a hell of a ride.

🎭 Beetlejuice The Musical is now playing at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre for a limited season.