The ghost with the most has officially arrived in Brisbane, and Beetlejuice The Musical is every bit as chaotic, hilarious and delightfully unhinged as audiences could hope for. Making its long-awaited Brisbane debut at QPAC, this Australian production delivers a spectacular blend of Broadway-scale musical theatre, laugh-out-loud comedy, visual wizardry and genuine heart.
The excitement surrounding opening night was evident long before the curtain rose. The foyer buzzed with anticipation as fans embraced the spirit of the show, arriving in black-and-white stripes, gothic-inspired outfits and Beetlejuice-themed costumes. It felt less like a regular theatre performance and more like an event.
Based on the beloved Tim Burton cult film, Beetlejuice follows Lydia Deetz, a teenager struggling with the loss of her mother, whose life is turned upside down when she encounters recently deceased couple Barbara and Adam Maitland and a mischievous demon determined to return to the world of the living. What unfolds is a wildly entertaining story about grief, family and embracing life’s unpredictability, all wrapped in supernatural chaos and irreverent humour.
At the centre of the madness is Andy Karl as Beetlejuice, delivering a masterclass in comedy. Bursting with charisma, confidence and impeccable comic timing, Karl commands every moment he is on stage. Brisbane audiences lapped up his perfectly timed local references, including a hilarious “naur” and cheeky “Crikey Aussie” gag. Every joke landed, but beneath the chaos Karl also reveals the character’s loneliness and desire for connection, adding surprising emotional depth.
Karis Oka is sensational as Lydia Deetz, perfectly capturing the character’s sarcasm, teenage angst and vulnerability. Her powerhouse vocals are among the production’s highlights, particularly during the iconic Dead Mom, where she delivers a moving and emotionally charged performance that immediately establishes Lydia as the heart of the story. Oka’s chemistry with Karl is equally impressive, with the pair sparking brilliantly together throughout the show, balancing Lydia’s grief and scepticism with Beetlejuice’s chaotic energy.
As Delia, Erin Clare is a comic standout. Fully embracing the character’s eccentricity, Clare leans into Delia’s painfully uncool attempts to connect with Lydia, particularly during No Reason. Her hilariously awkward enthusiasm, coupled with an unexpected dab that had the audience roaring with laughter, makes for one of the evening’s most memorable performances.
Tom Wren brings warmth and understated humour to Charles Deetz, expertly balancing the character’s grief with his awkward attempts at reconnecting with Lydia.
One of the production’s biggest scene-stealers is Andy Conaghan as Otho – Delia’s guru and life coach. Armed with razor-sharp wit, unwavering confidence and impeccable comic timing, Conaghan commands attention every time he steps on stage. His larger-than-life personality and perfectly delivered one-liners inject another layer of comedy into the production, with every appearance drawing huge laughs from the audience.
As Barbara and Adam Maitland, Jenni Little and Rob Johnson form the emotional backbone of the production. Little brings warmth, optimism and heart to Barbara, while Johnson’s comedic bravery and perfectly delivered one-liners make Adam endlessly lovable. Together, they create a partnership audiences can’t help but root for.
Another highlight comes from Brisbane’s own Angelique Cassimatis as Miss Argentina. Her performance of What I Know Now is a showstopper, combining powerhouse vocals, impressive dancing and infectious charisma.
More than just a crowd-pleasing number, the song’s message about embracing life to the fullest perfectly captures one of the musical’s central themes, and Cassimatis delivers it with flair and confidence. The audience response was immediate, with the number earning one of the loudest reactions of the evening.
Rebecca Ordiz also leaves a lasting impression as the Girl Scout, making the most of every second on stage with fearless comic timing and a performance that earns some of the night’s biggest laughs.
The ensemble deserves enormous praise. Their energy, precision and commitment never waver, while countless background character moments and mini-storylines add another layer of fun for attentive audience members. Every performer contributes to the wonderfully weird world of the show, helping create a production that feels alive from curtain up to curtain call.
Of course, no review of Beetlejuice would be complete without acknowledging the extraordinary score by Australian musical theatre powerhouse Eddie Perfect. Packed with razor-sharp wit, emotional depth and irresistibly catchy earworm tunes, the music and lyrics are among the show’s greatest strengths.
Songs linger long after the curtain falls, and Brisbane audiences were treated to the added thrill of having Perfect himself in attendance on opening night, watching his internationally acclaimed creation entertain a packed Lyric Theatre.
The audience response said it all. Laughter echoed throughout the theatre, applause erupted after major musical numbers and, by curtain call, the audience was on its feet for a thunderous standing ovation. The energy inside the Lyric Theatre was electric, bringing a fitting conclusion to a night of wonderfully weird theatrical magic.
Outrageous, heartfelt, visually spectacular and consistently funny, Beetlejuice The Musical is a gloriously weird triumph. With a stellar cast, a phenomenal score and enough laughs to satisfy even the most mischievous spirit, this is one haunting Brisbane audiences won’t want to miss.
TICKETS
Now Playing at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC until 2 August
All images supplied.
The Fame Reporter 