The global phenomenon Beetlejuice The Musical will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre tonight (Saturday 17 May), drawing fans from across the country to Australia’s cultural capital.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, earlier this week, joined producer Michael Cassel and lead actor Eddie Perfect to preview the spectacular show, which is based on Tim Burton’s 1988 film of the same name.
“Beetlejuice The Musical is a global hit and we’re thrilled to bring this supernatural spectacle to Melbourne – boosting our local economy and providing a huge thrill for theatre lovers from across the country,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.
“Melbourne is the cultural capital of the nation and securing the Australian premiere of Beetlejuice The Musical adds to an amazing array of cultural events around the state.”
Music and lyrics for the adaptation have been created by Melbourne’s own Perfect, with the hit show nominated for eight Tony awards during its highly successful four-year run on Broadway.
“Bringing this show home to Melbourne, the city where I cut my teeth as a musician and writer, is a special, full-circle moment,” said Eddie Perfect.
The musical follows the story of Lydia Deetz (Karis Oka), a teen who discovers a ghostly couple in a haunted house and summons a chaotic demon to help her navigate the world of the living and the dead.
Joining Eddie Perfect and Karis Oka, theatre royalty Elise McCann (Groundhog Day, Matilda) as the adorably neurotic Barbara, alongside Rob Johnson (Calamity Jane, The Torrents) as the sweet but clueless Adam.
Erin Clare (9 to 5, Tell Me on a Sunday) will channel the zen but zany Delia, while stage and screen sensation Tom Wren (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Winners and Losers) joins her as Charles – the Dad who desperately needs a holiday from ghosts.
Joining the living (and the undead) party are Noni McCallum as Maxine/Juno, Rebecca Ordiz as the overly enthusiastic Girl Scout, and Angelique Cassimatis as the fabulously fiery Miss Argentina. Adding more spooky flair, Andy Conaghan dabbles in the paranormal as Otho, with Adam Lyon taking on the slick Maxie Dean.
Rounding out this ghoulishly delightful cast are Fiorella Bamba, Kelsi Boyden, Louis Fontaine, Kerrie Anne Greenland, Sara Haruta, James Haxby, Brady Kitchingham, Noah Missell, Daniel Raso, Callum Ryan, Taylor Scanlan, Rose Shannon-Duhigg and, William Tukia-Edwards.
Beetlejuice The Musical is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Peter and the Starcatcher), with an original score by Tony Award-nominee Eddie Perfect (King Kong), a book by Scott Brown & Emmy Award nominee Anthony King (Broad City), choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom), and music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul (Joan of Arc: Into the Fire).
Beetlejuice The Musical features scenic design by two-time Tony Award nominee David Korins (Hamilton), costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (The Producers), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Kinky Boots), sound design by four-time Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski (Frozen) and projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen).
Puppet design by Drama Desk Award winner Michael Curry (The Lion King), special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), illusions by Michael Weber (Forrest Gump), hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe (Hamilton), make-up design by Joe Dulude II (Wicked), dance arrangements by David Dabbon and music producing by Matt Stine.
Beetlejuice The Musical is based on the 1988 Academy Award-winning Geffen Company motion picture with story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson. The smash hit comedy was directed by Tim Burton.
“Melbourne is the perfect place for Beetlejuice to stir up some mischief in this wickedly funny, big Broadway production. We can’t wait to welcome audiences to the Netherworld in Australia’s theatre capital,” said Producer Michael Cassel.
The Australian premiere of Beetlejuice The Musical in Melbourne adds to other major productions here such as Moulin Rouge! The Musical, & Juliet, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Groundhog Day.
Beetlejuice The Musical
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season continues to 31 August 2025
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
For more information, visit: www.beetlejuicethemusical.com.au for details.
Images: Beetlejuice The Musical (Australian Production) – photo by Michelle Grace Hunder | Karis Oka as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice The Musical – photo by Michelle Grace Hunder | Eddie Perfect as Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice The Musical – photo by Michelle Grace Hunder