“Beetlejuice” may be known as the musical that was saved by TikTok, but the truth is that “Beetlejuice” (like it’s titular character) just won’t die.
It broke the hearts of numerous Broadway fans, including yours truly, when the hit-musical announced that it would be closing in June 2020. Because of this premature closure, the show never got its proper final performance. With Broadway’s return uncertain, and the complexities of the sets making it difficult to switch theaters, all had seemed lost until now.
According to Broadwayworld.com, “Beetlejuice” will be returning to Broadway in spring 2022 at the Marquis Theatre.
The announcement came months after rumors and speculations. Some claimed that not only would “Beetlejuice” return to Broadway, but that a pro-shot (a stage production that is professionally recorded) would be released as well. With the news of the return being confirmed, it seems it will only be a matter of time before we get an official announcement on a possible pro-shot.
As of right now, there is no word on who will be returning to the show when it reopens, but the cast list will be announced soon, according to Broadwayworld.com. When the show debuted on Broadway back in April 2019, it was led by an all-star cast of Broadway regulars: Alex Brightman as Beetlejuice (a role that would earn him a Tony nomination), Sofia Anne Carusso as Lydia Deetz, Kerry Butler and Rob McClure as the recently deceased Maitlands, Adam Danheisser as Lydia’s father and Leslie Kritzer as his bumbling fiancé Delia.
When it opened, “Beetlejuice” didn’t quite resonate with the older, more seasoned critics of Broadway. With Peter Marks of The Washington Post calling the musical “over-caffeinated, overstuffed, and virtually charmless,” the show struggled to find its footing when it premiered. However, when the musical scores and sets found their way onto apps like TikTok, it suddenly found its audience — young people.
It was thanks to those young people that the show was not only seen in a new light, but led to a massive financial turnaround. In the first week of 2020, the musical grossed $1,435,799, which shattered the Winter Garden Theater’s seven-day performance week record. This outstanding theatrical success won the hearts of many and was sorely missed when the events of 2020 shut down Broadway. It will only take a matter of time until we can see “Beetlejuice” profits to go on the rise again.
Tickets for “Beetlejuice” will go on sale beginning Oct. 1, and the first performance will be on April 8, 2022.
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