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.
Guys I really wanna talk about Step Right Up for a second because when I tell you I’m obsessed with this demo song.
First of all the music - for anyone who doesn’t know back in DC act 1 ended with a newly released Beetlejuice transforming the house into a haunted carnival complete with killer clowns that literally tear Maxie Dean limb from limb (you can probably guess why it was taken out). This song takes place in that haunted carnival setting and uses the same circus-like backing music as Broadway still uses when BJ chases them out of the house. It’s fun, chaotic, and the perfect balance of playful and sinister which in my opinion very well mirrors how the musical is the balance between the light-hearted cartoon and the slightly darker movie. This song just encapsulates the “yeah we’re scaring the shit out of you, but we’re having so much fun doing it!!” aspect that I love.
But I especially love the way this song establishes the power dynamic between Beetlejuice and Lydia in their newfound partnership immediately - and Lydia is the one in power. Even better, Beetlejuice gives Lydia the power!! Willingly and enthusiastically!!
In the DC version of the show their friendship was less of a touching comradery and more of a distrusting but mutually beneficial partnership between two very smart and evenly matched individuals. Even in the Broadway version we see this dynamic in Say My Name, each always trying to get the upper hand on the other to prove they are the quicker, wittier one.
That’s why I was so surprised but SO excited to realize that in Step Right Up this changes. After she releases him Beetlejuice immediately shows his gratitude and proves her trust is in the right hands by making this scene all about her.When she released him Lydia gave him what he’d always wanted: the power to roam the living world free and visible after a millennia of being ignored. And so in a show of good faith he gives her what she’s always wanted: the ability to finally make herself visible to the people she felt ignored by.
The entire song is him having the time of his life hyping her up, using his powers to give her the power to get her revenge on the adults of the house but allowing her to do it all herself because he knows what it means to her. His whole first verse in the song is about how the adults should have never underestimated her, because he understands what she’s capable of, and now with his help she’s gonna make them understand too.
And boy are he and Lydia gonna have fun with it.
I really enjoy the Step Right Up demo so much! Epecially that last full minute of the song when it slows down…Seems like it could’ve played out SO well and perfectly on a Broadway stage!
and wish I could’ve seen the DC version of that carnegeddon carnival scene I’m hoping there’s some footage of it somewhere released someday.
At least they kept the music from Step Right Up in the taking over the house scene. Glad it didn’t all go to waste.
Just a thought… would be amazing if they had the DC and Broadway versions alternate throughout the week.
I believe @obsessive-ego has made posts about Beej bragging about reader in the netherworld to others and they get jealous/interested in them as well.
So here is a little addition on that train of thought. This became longer than I planned
TW: forceful sexual advantages
Before beej and reader are established (even though the whole netherworld knows of you as his), a shape shifting demon wants to see for themselves how good this breather really is.
They transform into Beej and appear in your apartment, green smoke and all.
“Oh hey, Beej! Welcome home-” you’re caught off by the demon pressing you up the wall closely and getting very close to your face. Your face is completely red being roughly pushed into this intimate position. “Beej, what’s gotten-”
Before you could say anything, your lips meet. The kiss is sensual at first, making you melt - the demon you’ve had a crush on is finally making a move! Can this be happening?! But it’s not long before his tongue is down your throat.
You are so overwhelmed by feelings of bliss in Beetlejuices sudden expression of his feelings until he starts harshly tearing at your clothes. His hands, claws, teeth, every motion becomes more aggressive and harsh. You try to squeak out a plea to slow down or decrease the pressure, but it’s ignored. You try struggling away, but it just makes him more aggressive. Your blissful bubble instantly popped and fear crept into you instead - you loved Beej, and this is never how you imagined being together would feel.
It seemed that your muffled screams only fed into his force as he shred your shirt into pieces, exposing your bra. He dragged his nails against your exposed side to your hip, making you wince from the burning feeling of fresh cuts.
Tears swelled in your eyes as he roughly tugged on the hem of your pants. You shut your eyes tight as you tried to push the demon off of you until he stopped at the booming sound of-
“HONEY IM HOOOME!”
In the moment that the specter froze over you, you screamed and pushed him causing the real Beej to find you.
He snarls furiously and rips this imposter clone off of you and the two break off into an intense demon dual as you try to wrap your head around what the fuck is going on.
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
