I think most theatre fans can relate to having a rocky journey with some shows. While some material is consistently great others can vary a lot depending on the director, actors, singers etc. Such is my experience with Beetlejuice. The first time I saw it was on Broadway and I had a decent time with it. The Marquis Theater it was in is massive and it suited the visual spectacle of the production. My only downside that night was 2 teenagers sitting next to me singing the entire score (and as I always say if you annoy me at a show than you are really bad because I am incredibly tolerant.) The second time was the national tour at Eccles and I did not like it at all. It was shouty, annoying and seemed to last forever. I left feeling like I must have been in a good mood and given it the ‘I’m on Broadway’ bump the first time.

Fortunately I have seen it a third time- this time the Beetlejuice Jr version at The Empress Theatre in Magna, and I’m back to enjoying it again. The teens did a fantastic job and a fun time was had by all.

This production was directed by Scott Savage and the cast of teens is large and talented- particularly in executing the choreography by Brady Nielson. The Empress stage is unusual with 2 levels of action happening and they made it work with the action happening all around the audience and with the cast interacting and winking at me, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Brittain Heywood played Beetlejuice and they have the requisite gravely voice needed for the role but they didn’t overdue it with the shouting like I had felt with the national tour. I get it that Beetlejuice is supposed to be a demon but there needs to be enough humor added to make the rather thin story palatable and that’s what they did here. The most effective sequence was the “Day-O” possession song, which is one of the only parts of the musical that actually matches the 1988 film. It was also nice to see that scene and think about the recent passing of Katherine O’Hara who played Delia in the film. I’m not normally who gets all weepy over celebrity passings but I did love O’Hara and I think she would have smiled at the teens and their version of this song. Delia was played by Alice Lopez and she brings a comedic energy that’s irresistible to the role.

Another special aspect of the production is I attended the sensory friendly matinee where the theater tries to make the experience as pleasant as possible for those who get over-stimulated easily or who need a more calming experience (maybe this is why it felt less shouty to me than the national tour? If so, than yay!) It was also nice because with the house lights up I could take my notes with ease.

A shout-out has to be given to Lydia Curtis who designed the costumes with makeup by Michelle Collard. I particularly enjoyed all of the Beetlejuice looks in the 2nd act. The biggest song cut for the Jr version is “Barbara 2.0” but I didn’t miss it. I was impressed they had elements like the sandworm and a shrinker to capture the underworld effectively.

There is also a nice message to the show with Lydia and her father Charles learning to be honest with each other about their grief over the loss of their wife and mother. When I saw it on national tour I was too distracted by all the screaming to care about the story and what it was trying to say. This through the sincerity of the teens it came through and I appreciate it greatly.

Unfortunately I saw Beetlejuice Jr on closing night but the teens should feel proud of all they accomplished with the production. I hope they keep pursuing their talents and I hope Empress continues with youth and sensory friendly shows. This truly could be where they shine brightest. Next up they have Little Shop of Horrors (which in some ways feels like an ancestor to Beetlejuice) It is playing Feb 27th to March 14th and tickets can be purchased here.

Beetlejuice has music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect with a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King based on the 1988 film. It first debuted on Broadway in 2019 and the national tour started in 2022. It had a limited engagement in 2025 that ran for 4 months

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