Musical Monday's Beetlejuice
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Hello! I know that some readers of this blog won't know what this series is, so I wanted to start by explaining. Musical Monday's was born when I came across young fans of Musial Theatre, who had not heard of the shows I loved and grew with. My original thought was to keep this towards the lesser-known shows, or shows I personally wanted to see highlighted more. The shows have expanded into musicals that many people have heard and love. I will use my review format, to discuss the musical. Today, I will discuss a new musical called Beetlejuice, based on the film , and the cartoon of the same name. I have not seen this musical, nor have I seen the sources for this show. My thoughts will be based on the Cast Recording. I picked this show because I am love this musical right now and wanted to discuss my thoughts.
As a side note, I will use lyrics to separate the sections because I think it's a fun way to introduce you to my favorite songs and highlight some lyrics.
"I'm tired of trying to iron out my creases. I'm a bunch of broken pieces.
It was you who made me whole."-sung by Lydia in Dead Mom
Plot 5/5
I'm not sure about the full about this musical, I think this is mostly my lack of understanding of the source material, and I feel that if I saw this show live it would answer my questions. Anyway, from what I gather based on this cast recording, this show has such a solid plot and I am intrigued to see it live so I can get some of my questions answered. I have heard that this story is darker, and takes a change from the original movie, but these darker creepy vibes add to the fun. This is billed as a musical comedy, and I totally get that based on what I know in terms of the plot, but more on that later. Honestly, the plot was what drew me to this show, and I didn't even understand what it was at that point. Every good musical needs a solid plot that will draw the audience in and make them care about these characters. The story is one thing that has kept me coming back to the musical over the last few weeks since they released the cast recording.
"Oh, nothing - just running the world. And you'll be like What?
And the universe will be like I know! You're on the right track, girl
I got your back, girl I'm helping you grow. Think positive Act positive
You are a child of the Earth!" - sung by Delia in No Reason
Characters 5/5
Even though I did not understand about the characters going in, I love these characters so much. They're flawed and they don't try to hide the fact they're flawed, in fact, I would say they embrace them? Based on listening to the cast recording, I see these characters as developed, and I love that about them. Based on the source material, these characters could appear very much like caricature's but they go in the other direction. These characters seem real and relatable, this is another element I look for in a great musical, even if it's not their whole story, I look for some piece I can relate to or will make me feel for the characters. I care for most of the characters in the show, and this is because of their journey and development. My favorite characters are Lydia, Barbara, and Delia.
"Amazingly glazed and terracotta-ery. I took some clay and made you pottery.
The world will never wreck you. I'll protect you in a mother's embrace. "- sung by Barbara in Ready, Set, Not Yet
Music 5/5
I could talk about the music in the show for hours on end. The style is mostly rock, which works perfectly for the aesthetic and the story being told. In fact, I can't see it working if it wasn't a rock forward score. The music enhances the story and tells a story all its own which is something that I look for in a good musical. At no moment so I feel that the music takes away from the story, another element I look for in a great musical. I would like to give a shout out to the organ section in the opening numbers, they add such an eerie feel and set the mood for the show you're about to see.
" You’re doomed! Enjoy the singing.
The sword of Damocles is swinging. And if I hear your cell-phone ringing.
I’ll kill you myself.
The whole being dead thing!"- sung by Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice) in The Whole Being Dead Thing
Lyrics 5/5
The lyrics in this show go from light and funny, see The Whole Being Dead Thing, to emotional and heartbreaking, see Dead Mom. Again, I could talk about the lyrics for ages, but I will try to keep this short and sweet. Lyrics are one of my favorite elements in musicals, next to characters, they're what I look for when I say a show is one of my favorites. Some lyrics are so real that they add to the story, they almost read like a dialogue than song lyrics which I feel makes them more relatable for the audience and the listener. While I could never pick a favorite song, I used my top favorites for this post.
" Every living minute. There's no home without you in it. I'm falling
Quit stalling. Your daughter is calling your name. I've burned all my bridges and games."- sung by Lydia in Home
I hope you enjoyed this post! If you already know about Beetlejuice what is your favorite song or who is your favorite character? If you don't will you be looking more into the musical now?
"So he wants the perfect daughter. I'll lead that lamb to slaughter
Yeah, I got game! I'm gonna make him say my name."- sung by Lydia in Say My Name
Feel free to follow me on Twitter
Photo by Matthew Murphy. Alex Brightman as Betelgeuse and Sophia Ann Caruso as Lydia Deetz.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Hello! I know that some readers of this blog won't know what this series is, so I wanted to start by explaining. Musical Monday's was born when I came across young fans of Musial Theatre, who had not heard of the shows I loved and grew with. My original thought was to keep this towards the lesser-known shows, or shows I personally wanted to see highlighted more. The shows have expanded into musicals that many people have heard and love. I will use my review format, to discuss the musical. Today, I will discuss a new musical called Beetlejuice, based on the film , and the cartoon of the same name. I have not seen this musical, nor have I seen the sources for this show. My thoughts will be based on the Cast Recording. I picked this show because I am love this musical right now and wanted to discuss my thoughts.
As a side note, I will use lyrics to separate the sections because I think it's a fun way to introduce you to my favorite songs and highlight some lyrics.
"I'm tired of trying to iron out my creases. I'm a bunch of broken pieces.
It was you who made me whole."-sung by Lydia in Dead Mom
Plot 5/5
I'm not sure about the full about this musical, I think this is mostly my lack of understanding of the source material, and I feel that if I saw this show live it would answer my questions. Anyway, from what I gather based on this cast recording, this show has such a solid plot and I am intrigued to see it live so I can get some of my questions answered. I have heard that this story is darker, and takes a change from the original movie, but these darker creepy vibes add to the fun. This is billed as a musical comedy, and I totally get that based on what I know in terms of the plot, but more on that later. Honestly, the plot was what drew me to this show, and I didn't even understand what it was at that point. Every good musical needs a solid plot that will draw the audience in and make them care about these characters. The story is one thing that has kept me coming back to the musical over the last few weeks since they released the cast recording.
"Oh, nothing - just running the world. And you'll be like What?
And the universe will be like I know! You're on the right track, girl
I got your back, girl I'm helping you grow. Think positive Act positive
You are a child of the Earth!" - sung by Delia in No Reason
Characters 5/5
Even though I did not understand about the characters going in, I love these characters so much. They're flawed and they don't try to hide the fact they're flawed, in fact, I would say they embrace them? Based on listening to the cast recording, I see these characters as developed, and I love that about them. Based on the source material, these characters could appear very much like caricature's but they go in the other direction. These characters seem real and relatable, this is another element I look for in a great musical, even if it's not their whole story, I look for some piece I can relate to or will make me feel for the characters. I care for most of the characters in the show, and this is because of their journey and development. My favorite characters are Lydia, Barbara, and Delia.
"Amazingly glazed and terracotta-ery. I took some clay and made you pottery.
The world will never wreck you. I'll protect you in a mother's embrace. "- sung by Barbara in Ready, Set, Not Yet
Music 5/5
I could talk about the music in the show for hours on end. The style is mostly rock, which works perfectly for the aesthetic and the story being told. In fact, I can't see it working if it wasn't a rock forward score. The music enhances the story and tells a story all its own which is something that I look for in a good musical. At no moment so I feel that the music takes away from the story, another element I look for in a great musical. I would like to give a shout out to the organ section in the opening numbers, they add such an eerie feel and set the mood for the show you're about to see.
" You’re doomed! Enjoy the singing.
The sword of Damocles is swinging. And if I hear your cell-phone ringing.
I’ll kill you myself.
The whole being dead thing!"- sung by Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice) in The Whole Being Dead Thing
Lyrics 5/5
The lyrics in this show go from light and funny, see The Whole Being Dead Thing, to emotional and heartbreaking, see Dead Mom. Again, I could talk about the lyrics for ages, but I will try to keep this short and sweet. Lyrics are one of my favorite elements in musicals, next to characters, they're what I look for when I say a show is one of my favorites. Some lyrics are so real that they add to the story, they almost read like a dialogue than song lyrics which I feel makes them more relatable for the audience and the listener. While I could never pick a favorite song, I used my top favorites for this post.
" Every living minute. There's no home without you in it. I'm falling
Quit stalling. Your daughter is calling your name. I've burned all my bridges and games."- sung by Lydia in Home
I hope you enjoyed this post! If you already know about Beetlejuice what is your favorite song or who is your favorite character? If you don't will you be looking more into the musical now?
"So he wants the perfect daughter. I'll lead that lamb to slaughter
Yeah, I got game! I'm gonna make him say my name."- sung by Lydia in Say My Name
Feel free to follow me on Twitter
Photo by Matthew Murphy. Alex Brightman as Betelgeuse and Sophia Ann Caruso as Lydia Deetz.
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