I saw Beetlejuice BEFORE its Broadway run!

I saw the pre-Broadway engagement in Washington, DC. Broadway tickets are now on sale!

Who: My neighbor & I

What: Beetlejuice, the pre-Broadway run of the new musical based on the classic 1988 film.

When: October 2018

Where: National Theatre, Washington, DC

Why: Fun fact: a handful of shows come to "try out" in DC before moving to Broadway. Recent examples include Come From Away and Mean Girls. I've missed them all and regretted it, so even though I wasn't thrilled about the idea of another movie-turned-Broadway musical, I knew I didn't want to miss it.

Thoughts: My friend and I sat down and watched the film about a week before the show. I thought I'd seen it as a kid, but as I was watching it, I realized (gasp!) I'd never actually seen the movie before! I know it's a cult classic, but honestly, I didn't love it. I found it to be slow and I had a lot of questions.

I hoped the musical would embrace better storytelling instead of trying to mirror the film, and it did not disappoint. We had a great time! The sets were impressive, the plot much faster paced, and the talent immense. Broadway favorites including Alex Brightman (School of Rock) and Rob McClure (Something Rotten!) were just two notable names leading the cast. The most memorable film moments are still honored in this show while featuring a much tighter story. Please note that the show does contain mature language and crude humor, so be aware if you are considering bringing younger company to the show.

TL; DR: I didn't have high expectations of the show, but I loved it! If you're in or near DC, be sure to catch it now before it heads to Broadway. It will be at the National Theatre until November 18 and there are plenty of discounted tickets available on Goldstar!

Check out thoughts on other Broadway shows I've seen here.

Are you a fan of the original Beetlejuice film? Would you see the Beetlejuice Broadway musical? Let me know in the comments!