Confession time: I haven’t seen either of the Beetlejuice movies. Cue the gasp—I know! My apologies to Tim Burton, the director of both the 1988 classic and its 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
That said, my lack of movie knowledge didn’t dampen my excitement to see the musical version, which made its Ottawa debut Tuesday night at the National Arts Centre (NAC). Beetlejuice: The Musical is the latest instalment on the Broadway Across Canada lineup that runs at the NAC through Sunday, June 1.
There was a buzz of excitement in the air at Southam Hall, with many audience members fully embracing the show’s spooky spirit. Some arrived in black-and-white striped outfits inspired by Beetlejuice himself, while others sported ghostly makeup that made them look like they’d stepped straight out of the Netherworld.
The show with music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect and a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King is very entertaining.
We meet Adam and Barbara (Will Burton and Megan McGinnis). They die in their home, and after some time, a new family move into the home. Charles (Jesse Sharp), his partner Delia (Sarah Litzsinger) and Charles’s daughter Lydia (Madison Mosley) are the new inhabitants.
Unbeknownst to them, Adam and Barbara have enlisted the help of a ghost named Beetlejuice (Juston Collette) to haunt the new homeowners.
Beetlejuice is not the first film to be turned into a musical. Previous Broadway Across Canada shows, including Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, and Moulin Rouge (coming to the NAC in May 2026), are just some of the films that have been adapted for the stage.
And while I am in no position to comment on the transition of Beetlejuice from screen to stage, I can say without hesitation this is a great show and another coup for Ottawa.
The performances are very strong. Justin Collette commands the stage and becomes Beetlejuice. Whether it’s his impeccable comedic timing or his effortless shattering of the fourth wall, his performance is a must-see.
What’s also very remarkable about this show is that it doesn’t rest entirely on his shoulders. Madison Mosley’s Lydia was equally impressive. She plays a young woman dealing with the loss of her mother, but her character portrays incredible confidence.
As Mosley was impressing a capacity audience with her incredible vocal’s song after song, one can’t help but think that her performance will be the source of inspiration to a generation of musical theatre students.
This show checked all the boxes. The set design was impressive, the choreography for the musical numbers was very well done, and overall, it is a strong ensemble.
With its quirky charm and high-energy performances, Beetlejuice: The Musical is a crowd-pleaser.
Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster using this link.
To find out about the Broadway Across Canada 2025-2026 season that kicks off with Mrs. Doubtfire in Ottawa on November 4, 2025, click here.
For more information on Broadway Across Canada, visit broadwayacrosscanada.ca.
Photos: Matthew Murphy
