A nice article about the show! It recounts the “ho-hum reviews and modest ticket sales” at the show’s original opening (something haters love to harp on) but then it talks about the show’s explosion in popularity via tiktok and how it encouraged and embraced its fans’ creativity (something haters refuse to acknowledge).
The fact that so many people have gotten into the fandom during lockdown and they’re being rewarded with the show returning is beautiful. Name another fandom that has constant resurgences like that. From the movie to the cartoon to the revue at Universal Studios to the musical to the musical again … Beetlejuice truly is the Ghost with the Most.
Alex getting that huge standing ovation with screaming, foot-stomping, sheer exuberancefrom that opening night audience–you’ve all seen it–almost made me cry with joy. And for those who still hate the show, still insist that “only Michael Keaton is Beetlejuice” (jesus fuck, do you say that about all roles that have ever been played by more than one actor?! That the first is the only?), I’d like to offer you this reminder:
I don’t get why this musical has haters, like, look, I’m a theatre nerd (recently but I went hard for it, yeah) and sure, I’ve seen lots of productions being criticised, but hating them??? I can only say that’s freaking ridiculous, and if you happen to hate it (not to not like it, that’s fine, but hate it) I automatically asume you’re what’s wrong in this world, there’s no point in between, nothing good comes from people like you , I said it.
AlexREALLY goes full creature in this Completely falling apart!
Oh my GOD. Elizabeth is so good in this!! You can see the exact moments she decides to play him, with her pensive expression morphing into a mischievous smile!! And in turn he’s even more frustrated about the whole situation, this is gold!! Love that little puff of smoke at the end too, they added new effects!!
I jokingly said “his hair is bigger every new show” the other day but at this rate he’s going to end up touching the ceiling in October like somebody please control this feral cockatoo demon or they are going to need a bigger theater.
Little moments like these I just love. I mean a lot stuff happens on stage, like you miss a thrown prop, you fumble a line and mess up, you get a flower petal stuck in your mouth and you have to stay in character to get it out…
I love how Alex just “oops forgot my choreo, Imma chill”.
It’s so damn funny!
Here’s Will Blum doing the choreo in GIF form cause Tumblr wants one video per post
This was the clip used in the first video I ever saw of the show so it wasn’t until I’d seen other videos that I realized he oopsed and now it kills me every time! It’s the little shrug that does it for me! Like, “Oops! Oh well. We’ll just wait it out! No biggie!”
I’m glad this post made its way around again. I think about this one a lot lol. He’s such pro in the sense that a first time viewer wouldn’t have a clue he even messed up because his recoveries are always SO flawless!! True pro.
And I personally enjoy his cackle with the spin. His laughing in general makes me giddy lol. It’s that contagious demon happiness
