In the classic comedy, Beetlejuice, the title character is onscreen for only 19½ of the film’s 92 minutes. Beetlejuice plays a far greater role in the recent adaptation of the movie as a musical. He is the dominant stage presence as both a character and a metatheatrical commentator on the action.

The musical’s tone is radically different from the film’s. The main character’s wildness suffuses the musical, understandably so. Beetlejuice’s wacky behavior is perhaps the best-remembered part of the movie.

The film’s central characters are Barbara and Adam Maitland, who find themselves back in their home after they die in a car accident. They summon Beetlejuice, a self-styled bio-exorcist, to rid the house of its annoying current residents, the Deetz family. In the musical’s book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, Beetlejuice haunts the house before the arrival of the Maitlands, who die in an accident inside the house. He plans to use them (and everyone else) for his own purposes.

The Deetzes’ story in the musical focuses on the grief of the daughter, Lydia, over the death of her mother. The show prompts the strongest emotions in the second act, when Lydia emulates Orpheus and seeks her lost loved one in the netherworld.

The touring production of Beetlejuice now at the Fox Theater features tremendous production values, a splendid cast, and virtuosic leading performances by Justin Collette and Isabella Esler. The frenzy on stage approaches sensory overload thanks to Alex Timbers’ direction, Connor Gallagher’s choreography, Kenneth Posner’s lighting, Peter Hylenski’s sound, Peter Nigrini’s projections, David Korins’s scenic design, and William Ivey Long’s costumes. The set and costumes pick up many visual cues from the movie.

Collette’s Beetlejuice commands attention with his hyperactivity and is an expert at ingratiating himself with the people watching the show. On opening night, Collette brought down the house with his reply to a vocal member of the audience. Lydia’s musical numbers soar in Esler’s powerful interpretations.

The growth of the Maitlands and the Deetzes during the play was convincingly portrayed on opening night by Megan McGinnis as Barbara, Ryan Breslin (understudy for Will Burton) as Adam, Jesse Sharp as Charles, and Kate Marilley as Delia.

The show is well supported by the songs, whose music and lyrics are Eddie Perfect. The score includes the Banana Boat song, which is featured in the film. Musical supervision, orchestrations, and incidental music are by Kris Kukul. Andy Grobengieser conducts the fine band.

Beetlejuice continues through October 22 at the Fox Theatre, 527 North Grand Boulevard.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo by Matthew Murphy
From the left, Isabella Esler as Lydia and Justin Collette as Beetlejuice