BEETLEJUICE Previews- Page 2

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 3/28/19 at 11:45pm

zainmax said: "Would the royalties be included in the weekly nut?

Also, do you think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cost more or less than Beetlejuice both in terms of cap and weekly nut?"


Royalties would be part of the weekly nut.

Don't know about cost comparisons, I haven't seen BJ. WB mostly self-financed Charlie, whereas BJ has a bunch of outside co-producer/investors.

Regardless, $21mil is huge. Especially since screen-to-stage adaptations of similarly beloved properties like Groundhog Day, Charlie, Rocky, Ghost, 9 to 5, and Big Fish all tanked.

[treblemakerz]

Posted: 3/28/19 at 11:54pm

Ouch.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:02am

WhizzerMarvin said: "What a night this been, what a rare mood I’m in, but it’s not like that felling called love.

What I’m feeling is more akin to Maria’s advanced state of shock.

Where to even begin. There is a camp/cringefest production number near the end of act two in which In My Life skeletons dance around the stage to my jaw-dropping disbelief.

The show begins with Lydia singing a weepy ballad, after which Beetlejuice pops out and says to the audience, “A ballad already? And such a departure from the source material!” Ok, so they’re not going to give us the movie- I’m down- but then throughout the evening they do end up putting in plenty of the gags and lines from the film, so not as much of a departure as we were originally led to believe.

The biggest change is one certainly made for the worse and that’s one of time. Beetlejuice is a dark comedy most assuredly, but it’s also scary, creepy, eerie and downright weird. The film also has style to spare. The musical goes for comedy, but none of the darkness and certainly none of the scary/weird/eccentric vibe. Instead we get jokes about kale salads, kombucha tasting like armpit and crowded Trader Joe’s parking lots. Jokes that wouldn’t even make their way out of The Big Bang Theory writer’s room.

The score is bad; the songs are tuneful I guess, but those lyrics! Myself here does NOT rhyme with help here! I guess it’s better than his score to King Kong, but talk about the lowest of bars to step over.

I’ll give the actors a lot of credit. They really are trying to make this work. I really have a big soft spot for Rob McClure and Kerry Butler and long to see them in better roles soon.

At one point in the show Beetlejuice threatens that even though his name is on the marquee, he will leave the show and we’ll be stuck with Rob and Kerry’s characters. “Yeah they’re boring. Even more boring than Brigadoon. I’ll say it: Fvck Brigadoon.” Well, let me tell you, I longed to hear Kelli O’Hara sing even 30 seconds of Brigadoon than listen to one more second of this score.

Mama Morton taught us about the importance of reciprocity, so let me return the favor: Fvck Beetlejuice!"

Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production?  Okay, mom's dead.  Leave it alone, gurl.

Updated On: 3/29/19 at 12:02 AM

[BroadwayBeebe]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:05am

Whizzer brilliantly summed it perfectly. The second act was honestly worse than the first and Brightman... between the writing and his interpretation he is the weakest link in the evening in my opinion. Never in my life would I have thought that Beetlejuice would end with a megamix and streamers, but alas that’s just one example at some of the misguided work here.

In short, How dare Alex Brightman as Dewey Finn as Beetlejuice take the name of our Dolly Levi in vain. Not once, but twice. As Whizzer said F you Beetlejuice.

[HunterK]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:06am

I was there tonight as well and I did see the DC production. It has changed a lot since then, especially Act 2. Act 1 changed Beetlejuice's entrance and I preferred him popping up from the pit. I am trying not to give spoilers. Lydia's entire design has changed, her wigs and dresses are all different, but "Dead Mom" is still haunting the middle of Act 1. The set is truly a work of art! Same with the lighting, (especially upon entering the theatre and at intermission) so many elements that just were done so well. 

I'm just going to point out my opinion here, I actually felt the DC production was better, and that not saying much. I will first and foremost say that Leslie Kritzer is a DAMN STAR! I will say that she is absolutely in the running for a best supporting nomination. She makes Delia (and Miss Argentina) characters that are hysterical, plus her belting helps a lot. But she a damn fine comedic actress that you can tell worked hard to standout. Absolutely loved any moment she was on the stage. Rob & Kerry were cute and adorable. For those who saw the DC production or read about it...Act 2 is completely different...and long! No more Boy Band! It is replaced with Miss Argentina (Leslie Kritzer) in a full on song and dance number (that I actually enjoyed). Kerry's ballad about not having a child is gone and replaced with "Barbara 2.0", all about how and Rob are finally changing from being boring and dull. Kerry uses her vocals there. The show seemed to drag and drag. Funny moments and iconic characters from the movie are becoming lost. The ending song has merged, so that changed it up a bit. I think they were trying for an "awww" moment, but that was lost. Finally bows come and there is another 4 minutes of dancing. It just seemed off. People were already standing cause the principles bowed immediately, so it was awkward. Dancing is over and more bows. I just wanting so much more! I grew up with that movie. I just pray they use this time to really clean it up. 

I will say the stickers they were handing out when you entered saying "I saw Beetlejuice on the first DAY-O" were cute and people were wearing them. Audience seemed to really enjoy it.

Just my thoughts! 

[taylortrensch]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:08am

if anyone has a preview sticker they'd be open to parting with, please let me know! i'm happy to buy it from you or work out a trade!

[HunterK]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:09am

Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

Oh just you wait....that damn song will haunt you as you leave the theatre! LOL! I stoped counting how many times it is said and sung. 

[Larkinfon]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:10am

Was also there tonight. Woof. As a big fan of the movie, I was disappointed. The design of the show starting with walking into the theatre is on theme, which makes sense as to why so much of the publicity seems focused on the set. I think all the performers are fantastic, except Brightman. That man is no Beetlejuice and the show isn’t helping him. Phantom wouldn’t be phantom if he opened the show and told you this is a show about the opera. The writing and overinflation of the role kills the show, making it less of a brilliant dark comedy and more of a rock’n’roll graveyard revue. He had three changes of hair color for god’s sake. Even Delia had the same wig the whole show. Simply put, I think the easiest solution is to cut down Brightman’s material. Take him out of the first 40 minutes of act one and for god’s sake cut down that final sequence. I don’t know why they felt it was so important we give Beetlejuice a back story (since when do demons even have mothers?), a meaningful death, and then a resurrection within 20 minutes, but it ruined the climax of the show. In short, the show needs an exorcism. F you Laurence.

[BroadwayBeebe]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:15am

Larkinfon said: "Was also there tonight. Woof....In short, the show needs an exorcism. F you Laurence."

I just spat out my cookie on the train.... LAURENCE! Truly one of the biggest WTF moments of the evening. Thanks for the laugh, Larkinfon!

[Larkinfon]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:16am

HunterK said “I will say the stickers they were handing out when you entered saying "I saw Beetlejuice on the first DAY-O" were cute and people were wearing them. Audience seemed to really enjoy it.” 

 

I watched someone take a sticker, look at it, and state, “A sticker? Day-o more like cheap-o.” I guffawed.

 

Updated On: 3/29/19 at 12:16 AM

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:22am

HunterK said: "Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

Oh just you wait....that damn song will haunt you as you leave the theatre! LOL! I stoped counting how many times it is said and sung."

A viewing in DC was more than enuff por moi/poor me.   Beetle dun lost his juice.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:25am

The worst part about this whole thing is that Beetlejuice really was great source material to musicalize. Sometimes stuff like Rocky that doesn’t scream, “Make these characters sing!” can leave you scratching your head, but this property should have been more of a slam dunk.

What a waste.

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:30am

Wow. With all of the workshops, time, and money spent I can’t believe it’s still this bad.

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:35am

WhizzerMarvin said: "The worst part about this whole thing is that Beetlejuice really was great source material to musicalize. Sometimes stuff like Rocky that doesn’t scream, “Make these characters sing!” can leave you scratching your head, but this property should have been more of a slam dunk.

What a waste. "

I totally agree. Such a bummer, that finally we have a movie being adapted into a musical that I say “Okay see THIS makes sense to me as a musical!” And also the fact that Beetlejuice is a classic but there’s room for change and artistic liberty just as long as the sensibility stays the same. 

 

This and Big Fish deserved WAYYYY better writing teams.

I mean why not have Danny Elfman write the songs? He wrote the original score

[Larkinfon]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:36am

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "WhizzerMarvin said: "What a night this been, what a rare mood I’m in, but it’s not like that felling called love.

What I’m feeling is more akin to Maria’s advanced state of shock.

Where to even begin. There is a camp/cringefest production number near the end of act two in which In My Life skeletons dance around the stage to my jaw-dropping disbelief.

The show begins with Lydia singing a weepy ballad, after which Beetlejuice pops out and says to the audience, “A ballad already? And such a departure from the source material!” Ok, so they’re not going to give us the movie- I’m down- but then throughout the evening they do end up putting in plenty of the gags and lines from the film, so not as much of a departure as we were originally led to believe.

The biggest change is one certainly made for the worse and that’s one of time. Beetlejuice is a dark comedy most assuredly, but it’s also scary, creepy, eerie and downright weird. The film also has style to spare. The musical goes for comedy, but none of the darkness and certainly none of the scary/weird/eccentric vibe. Instead we get jokes about kale salads, kombucha tasting like armpit and crowded Trader Joe’s parking lots. Jokes that wouldn’t even make their way out of The Big Bang Theory writer’s room.

The score is bad; the songs are tuneful I guess, but those lyrics! Myself here does NOT rhyme with help here! I guess it’s better than his score to King Kong, but talk about the lowest of bars to step over.

I’ll give the actors a lot of credit. They really are trying to make this work. I really have a big soft spot for Rob McClure and Kerry Butler and long to see them in better roles soon.

At one point in the show Beetlejuice threatens that even though his name is on the marquee, he will leave the show and we’ll be stuck with Rob and Kerry’s characters. “Yeah they’re boring. Even more boring than Brigadoon. I’ll say it: Fvck Brigadoon.” Well, let me tell you, I longed to hear Kelli O’Hara sing even 30 seconds of Brigadoon than listen to one more second of this score.

Mama Morton taught us about the importance of reciprocity, so let me return the favor: Fvck Beetlejuice!"

Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

 

You’re right. Lydia was so much more interesting when her fascination with the strange and unusual wasn’t mainly treated like a manifestation of her depression. 

 

[zainmax]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:37am

Duplicate. Updated On: 3/29/19 at 12:37 AM

[zainmax]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:37am

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "WhizzerMarvin said: "The worst part about this whole thing is that Beetlejuice really was great source material to musicalize. Sometimes stuff like Rocky that doesn’t scream, “Make these characters sing!” can leave you scratching your head, but this property should have been more of a slam dunk.

What a waste. "

I totally agree. Such a bummer, that finally we have a movie being adapted into a musical that I say “Okay see THIS makes sense to me as a musical!” And also the fact that Beetlejuice is a classic but there’s room for change and artistic liberty just as long as the sensibility stays the same.



This and Big Fish deserved WAYYYY better writing teams.

I mean why not have Danny Elfman write the songs? He wrote the original score"

I didn't think that the Big Fish songs were bad.

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:39am

Damn, this thread is breaking my heart. How the hell they managed to worsen it after DC just flat out depresses me. I think the creative direction is a lost cause. Even if it can't save the show, I'd hope the tech is still able to hold it's own ground?...

Funny, social media reports seem to be very positive. Even if it doesn't sell/review super well, I think this is a show that will just happen to appeal to a more general audience than those of us on here. Think Mean Girls or Frozen. It's not an excuse, one way or another.

Updated On: 3/29/19 at 12:39 AM

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:41am

Whizzer that is so true. BEETLEJUICE is prime material to musicalize. I’m sad to hear this is what we’ll get.

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:54am

Big Fish didn’t have the beautiful intimacy of the film.

It felt bloated.

Would’ve loved to have seen what Jason Robert Brown would have done with itz

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:57am

They just really missed the mark, not only in how to musicalize the property, but in particular how to musicalize the title character. I would have made him more of a cross between Dr. Frank N Furter from Rocky Horror and the Emcee from Cabaret. He’s funny and weird and sexual, but also there’s an underbelly of menance and danger.

Why are Adam and Barbara so scared of Lydia releasing Beetlejuice in this version? Are they worried that he might make her tap dance to death?

[Vinosippycup2]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 12:58am

Wow. I know Whizzer is royalty on here and all, but I have to disagree. 

For a start, while the arc was different from the movie- it has so much more depth. I laughed all the way through and found myself crying at the end. I liked all the characters and felt for them. Everything about the show was generous -  its performance, set, magic...but most of all - I really loved the music  - the lyrics especially are super inventive and smart - and I heard other people commenting on them too. I'll be back for another listen after opening night, I can't wait for the cast album. 

 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 1:02am

It may well still succeed at the box office.  Brand recognition, less discerning crowd, etc.   Case in point: Pretty Woman (which I actually enjoyed).  Still, as a champion of Groundhog Day I'll be crushed if it lasts [whatadramaqueenIam].

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 1:18am

WhizzerMarvin said: "They just really missed the mark, not only in how to musicalize the property, but in particular how to musicalize the title character. I would have made him more of a cross between Dr. Frank N Furter from Rocky Horror and the Emcee from Cabaret. He’s funny and weird and sexual, but also there’s an underbelly of menance and danger.

Why are Adam and Barbara so scared of Lydia releasing Beetlejuice in this version? Are they worried that he might make her tap dance to death?

"

Im disappointed that it’s not scary. The movie was never “scary” per say, but it has some of the creepiest Tim burton visuals like the sand worms and Beetlejuice as a snake, the ways the couple scares the house.

like Beetlejuice is supposed to be comically nightmarish but GENUINELY nightmarish

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 3/29/19 at 1:21am

HunterK said: "Are there still about 37 "dead mom" songs in the production? Okay, mom's dead. Leave it alone, gurl."

Oh just you wait....that damn song will haunt you as you leave the theatre! LOL! I stoped counting how many times it is said and sung."

Oh, HECK...jettison those inferior songs and replace them with this classic.  Lydia will receive a mid-performance standing ovulation fur shur.  Papa=Mama.  https://youtu.be/QwCPAo5e_F8