Image credit: Eugene Hyland.
Adelaide theatregoers are set to be majorly disappointed as Broadway’s legendary Beetlejuice the Musical is cancelled midway through its Brisbane run.
The show, which was set to bring back waves of nostalgia for many Millennials who grew up with the hit Hollywood movie, follows the story of the titular demon as he wreaks havoc on the living as a ‘bio-exorcist’, and features the iconic haunted dinner scene and dance routine to Harry Belanfonte’s song “Day-O”.
A mysterious teenaged girl fascinated by death and the macabre, some friendly ghosts and a striped demon with chaotic energy, it’s a movie we hold close to our hearts, and for many, the musical was a chance to rekindle happy memories from a nineties film that has only aged like fine wine.
Now, only weeks after the Broadway hit was announced for the Festival Theatre, the show – initially scheduled to spook and delight Adelaide’s audiences from October 10 to 25 – has been cut before it even reached the South Australian stage.
With music and lyrics by Tony award nominee Australian Eddie Perfect, reports indicate that Adelaide’s ticket sales were going strong, but the decision to close the show early came from rising costs of production across the country and a tougher than expected economic climate.
Wrapping up in Brisbane on July 5, all upcoming performances in Adelaide, Perth and Sydney have been cancelled, and all tickets purchased – including refundable tickets and show packages – are set to be automatically refunded in full.
A disappointing ending for performers and audiences alike, as the final curtain is drawn several months early, with eager theatregoers and faithful Beetlejuice fans being left on the edge of their seats.
Not the first show to end its Australian run early, Back to the Future: The Musical also wrapped up earlier than expected in January, citing similar struggles.
