BeetleJuice

"Beetlejuice" at the newly renovated Palace Theatre is a fun musical for the whole family. Like "Back To The Future", this show brings in audiences of all ages. At the matinee I attended the theater was packed with adults and wide eyed children.

What makes "Beetlejuice" a successful show is its larger -than-life staging (David Korins), its dramatic, deft lighting (Kenneth Posner), and its brilliant sound (Peter Hylenski). The staging is very similar to the movie, the lighting vacillates between the macabre to up beat. With the gun metal blue, the washed out green and purple coloring, Posner blends the colors with the theme of the show brilliantly.

The book by Anthony King is for the most part steadfast to the movie. It does differ near the end of the show. The changes are more somber, more "Broadway" than the movie and it works well. Eddie Perfect wrote the music and lyrics. Most of the songs hit home and march in lock step with the show. Some hit home; some miss the mark.

What carries the show over the goal line is the show's star, Justin Collette as Beetlejuice. Collette was tailor made for this show; his comedy, his "business" and his dexterity commands the stage. Like the movies star. Michael Keaton, Collette brings the absurdist role to the maximum. He plays out the comedy to the fullest.

The supporting cast are very good. As Lydia, Madison Mosley has a deep voice, her acting chops are effective as well. Her rebellious attitude goes deeper than the surface. As a complicated young woman, people don't understand her; she rebels for attention and to be heard.

Shows like "Beetlejuice" are not always critically acclaimed, they are however, favorites of the audience. The show is relatable on so many fronts; it appeals to the occasional theater goer; the die hard theater goer and everyone in-between. For two hours and thirty minutes, "Beetlejuice" overwhelms and entertains. The projections (Peter Nigrini) and special effects (Jeremy Chernick) tighten up and lock in an already tight show.

Since the Palace Theatre reopened it has had four shows in here: Ben Platt, "Glenn Gary Glenn Ross" and the disastrous "Tammy Faye". "Beetlejuice" which has a limited engagement could easily play here for years to come. It has something for everybody. With a lackluster Broadway season so far, "Beetlejuice" is a safe bet; one that you will like and feel satisfied leaving the theater.

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I went back to see "Moulin Rouge" yesterday evening after seeing "Beetlejuice" in the matinee. I will be writing on Vocal later on regarding my review and thoughts. Both "Beetlejuice" and "Moulin Rouge" are both what I call "a big musical". By Big I mean the sets, the lighting, the dancing and singing.

As Broadway musicals get more and more expensive on Broadway, shows like "Beetlejuice" and Moulin Rouge" are a welcome sight to the Broadway goer. A little something for everyone. Some of the new musicals coming to Broadway like "Queen of Versailles" have failed miserably. Where "The Music Man", "Back to The Future" and "Beetlejuice" can bring in audiences of all ages, "Queen" and shows like it are limited in their audience as it deals with "older themes".

The last leg of Broadway shows are coming opening in the next four weeks. I am hopeful that some of them will be really good. Shows like "Oedipus" is a huge hopeful, and so is "Dog Day Afternoon". A lot of this season has fallen from there expectations and a lot of it has to do with the direction.

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