Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy

There was no better host to kick off the 2024/25 season of the Marcus Performing Arts Center than the ghost with the most.

Beetlejuice was first adapted into a musical in Washington D.C. in 2018 before making its Broadway debut at the Winter Garden Theatre in 2019. Although the production closed in 2023, it has been performed internationally and has been touring the U.S. for the last two years.

The Milwaukee theater welcomed a packed house on opening night of the show; the audience a sea of black and white stripes with the occasional hint of green. Every seat had a view of the neon-lit sign displaying the titular character’s name in its correct spelling, Betelgeuse.

The story differs a bit from the film, mentioned by Beetlejuice just before the opening number: “And such a bold departure from the original source material.” In the stage production, Lydia Deetz grieves the death of her mother while she must deal with her neglectful father, her life coach-turned-soon-to-be-stepmother and unwanted new home. The strange and unusual teenager meets the ghosts of the recently deceased former homeowners and assists them - along with a devious bio-exorcist - in scaring the Deetz family enough to move out.

Character favorites, such as the sandworm and Miss Argentina, grace the stage in stand-out introductions. Even the ensemble cast - football players, Netherworld dwellers and a Girl Scout - give performances that make the audience laugh, cry and jump out of their seats.

The stage design, down to the smallest detail, was carefully crafted by David Korins. The audience can easily see how the home changes three times throughout the show: first, as the Maitland’s home; second, as the Deetz’s home; and lastly, with Beetlejuice’s takeover. Noticeable are the light fixtures and pieces of furniture as well as the color palettes. Illustrated in the set tour, there are much smaller details that only a few people may see. Specifically in the attic set, the walls are clearly full of forgotten treasures, some of which are demonstrated during the show.

There are also hidden and not-so-hidden homages to the original film sprinkled throughout the stage. From the introduction of Delia’s sculptures - potentially one of the only design pieces that ever receives applause - to wallpaper designs featuring Tim Burton illustrations, the tributes give the audience the space to truly immerse themselves in a world that they have only seen on screen.

Getting the music right was crucial to the success of the production, and the soundtrack is hauntingly good. With music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect, who received a Tony nomination for Best Original Score, it turns humor, sarcasm and anguish into 18 unique tracks. Perfect also made sure that the film’s two songs, Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jump in the Line”, make special appearances.

Beetlejuice The Musical. The Musical. The Musical. earned their stripes on Broadway and across the country. Each member of the cast and crew brought this dearly beloved film to a one-of-a-kind stage production, making it a remarkably touching show about family, love and making the most of every Day-O.