Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Be… witness to one of the most extravagant and impressive productions to ever hit Australian shores.
The hotly anticipated musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s classic film, Beetlejuice, has debuted six feet down-under with Melbourne’s own Eddie Perfect sliding into the titular role for the first time. The musical takes themes of family, love and death and weaves them into a funhouse of hilarity and mayhem. It tells the ghostly story of Lydia Deets (Karis Oka), a grieving teenager whose life is changed when she meets a particularly zany demon and a family of not-so intimidating ghosts.
As someone unaware of the film’s narrative, Beetlejuice the Musical had my jaw on the floor at every drop (and rise) of the curtain – a world-class production in every sense of the word. The non-stop energy of this production is something that is largely unmatched in the world of musical theatre. I’ve never seen a musical that has managed to maintain such a high level of spectacle across every scene quite like Beetlejuice. The musical numbers are fun, vibrant and electrifying, and the same can be said about the mesmerising choreography and drop-dead gorgeous set design, which all go hand-in-hand.
Comedy is a strong component of many productions, but not many are quite as consistently hilarious as this right here. The whole production is laced with side-splitting jokes and physical comedy at every turn to where I had a grin from ear to ear all the way through to curtain call. Eddie Perfect’s knack for comedy makes his performance particularly entertaining, especially when he leans into the craziness of his character.
When it comes to the soundtrack, there’s no one song that sticks out as the “big one”, but when each and every song surpasses the awe of the one that preceded it, there’s no love lost. It’s hard to imagine anyone left the theatre without at least one of the many upbeat earworms playing on repeat in their head. Whether it’s the tone-setter “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” or the hilarity of “That Beautiful Sound“, the song-writing is stellar from start to finish and the performances of said songs are faultless.
In a rare occurrence for the musical theatre scene, creator Eddie Perfect steps into the titular role to bring his own Beetlejuice the Musical to life like no one else can. To put it simply, Eddie Perfect is just that – perfect. His performance as Beetlejuice is so phenomenal, and he embodies the character so brilliantly, that it’s hard to imagine anyone else could pull it off this well. Think Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow or Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark – this is on that level of irreplaceable. His energy and charisma is infectious and spreads through the theatre within minutes of the first musical number. Better yet, his playful persona not only allows his performance to flourish, but elevates all those around him. His interactions with the crowd, fourth wall-breaking quips and commitment to the chaos are only part of what makes every one of his scenes hilarious.
While people are turning out for Perfect, one of the biggest surprises is that Karis Oka is a certified scene-stealer in the role of Lydia Deets. I’m unfamiliar with her limited experience prior to landing this role, but she’s announced herself as one of the most exciting musical stars in the country. Not only does she bump up her charm and energy to a frequency that complements Eddie Perfect, but she’s able to comfortably carry the production through her solo moments. Speaking of solos, her vocal performance is bar-none the strongest in the entire production. Her ability to hit high notes and sing with breathtaking power behind every vocal in a way that seems effortless is the stuff you’re used to seeing from seasoned vets. Oka and Perfect share a duet with “Share My Name” that highlights the strengths in their chemistry.
It may be all eyes on Oka and Perfect, but there’s no discrediting the impact of Elise Mccann (Barbara) and Rob Johnson (Adam) who take on to of the most integral supporting roles. Not only are they tasked with brining comedy and levity to the production, but they’re also the source of much of the narrative’s heart. They shine in a few key musical numbers and bring a slightly more subdued energy that balances out the frantic nature of Beetlejuice’s presence.
The staging and set design is another element that’s jaw-dropping time and time again. Each and every set that’s debuted is uniquely funky, highly detailed and filled with personality. Whether it’s the house interior which goes through four drastic redesigns throughout the show or the more minimalistic style of the Netherworld, all of these sets garnered collective awe from the audience. Additionally, the way lighting interacts with the sets is exceptional in enhancing the beauty and surrealism of each location. Lighting designer Kenneth Posner’s work her is a delight, especially with the way he handles so many scene transitions – rather than bringing down the curtain, he’ll bathe the crowd in bright flashing lights to hide the moving of sets in the darkness of the stage. Along with shows like A Christmas Carol and Cruel Intentions, this is some of the strongest lighting in musical theatre.
Just when you think you’ve seen everything this production has to offer, Beetlejuice works his magic and injects something totally crazy and out of left field into the story. This is the type of musical you see and then immediately want to experience again. The songs are infectious, the choreography is dazzling, and Eddie Perfect’s electrifying energy will have you captivated from start to finish. Fun, zany and full of life (and death), Beetlejuice the Musical isn’t just a good time, it’s the best time you’ll have at the theatre in 2025.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Beetlejuice the Musical is now playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne through to August 3rd, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets, head HERE.
Reviewer attended on Saturday May 17th, 2025
Photo credit: Michelle Grace Hunder
