🪲 Beetlejuice The Musical: Subverting a Subversive Classic 🪲

Summary

This video script discusses the 'Beetlejuice' musical adaptation, comparing it to the original film. It praises the musical's clever subversions of audience expectations and its more cohesive narrative, while also critiquing certain character changes and the final act's resolution. The script highlights the musical's success in capturing the essence of the cult classic, with a focus on themes like family and chosen family, and the challenges of adapting a well-known property.

Takeaways

• 😀 The discussion revolves around the 'Beetlejuice' franchise, focusing on the transition from film to musical adaptation and the upcoming sequel.
• 🎭 The musical adaptation of 'Beetlejuice' is praised for its clever subversion of audience expectations, maintaining the essence of the original while introducing new elements.
• 🔄 The musical shifts the narrative focus to Lydia Deets, making her the protagonist and altering the timeline and events of the story.
• 🎵 The adaptation includes original songs like 'Invisible' and 'My Creepy Old Guy' that contribute to character development and the overall tone.
• 👻 Beetlejuice's character is reimagined as a narrator with a more comedic and rule-breaking persona, deviating from the film's portrayal.
• 🔮 The musical adaptation merges characters and modifies scenes to fit the stage, such as combining Dilia and Otho into one character and moving the Netherworld scene.
• 🎭 The creators of the musical use the audience's familiarity with the film to their advantage, subverting expectations and adding surprises.
• 🎉 The musical adaptation is commended for its ability to take risks, such as having Beetlejuice and Lydia get married, and for its more cohesive narrative.
• 🎬 The sequel to 'Beetlejuice' is mentioned, with the discussion noting that it capitalizes on the current popularity of the actress Jenna Ortega and the nostalgia for the original film.
• 🌐 The video script also touches on the broader trend in Hollywood of recycling known properties and the challenges of adapting films into musicals.

Q & A

What is the main reason Hollywood decided to create a sequel to Beetlejuice instead of a remake?

Hollywood chose to create a sequel to capitalize on the nostalgic appeal of the original 80s film, leveraging its old school special effects and quirky characters, rather than risking a flop with a remake.

How does the musical adaptation of Beetlejuice subvert audience expectations?

The musical adaptation subverts expectations by incorporating the storytelling technique of subverting expectations itself, leading the audience to anticipate certain outcomes and then delivering surprising twists.

What is the significance of Beetlejuice's role as the narrator in the musical?

Beetlejuice's role as the narrator in the musical serves to establish the show's dark and sarcastic tone and to prepare the audience for more surprises, breaking the fourth wall and addressing the departure from the source material.

How does the musical adaptation handle the character of Lydia Deets?

In the musical, Lydia Deets is made the protagonist, which significantly alters the timeline and narrative focus, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of her character and her relationships with other characters.

What changes were made to the character of Beetlejuice in the musical adaptation?

In the musical, Beetlejuice is humanized more, forming a connection with Lydia and even becoming a sort of hero by saving her, which is a departure from his antagonist role in the film.

Why does the musical adaptation change the antagonist from Beetlejuice to Juno?

The musical adaptation changes the antagonist to Juno to provide a redemption arc for Beetlejuice and to explore themes of family and chosen family, although this change has been criticized for potentially undermining the narrative's message.

How does the musical adaptation incorporate the sandworm from the original film?

The musical adaptation weaves the sandworm into the story through three main moments, using it as a tool for subverting audience expectations and foreshadowing, ultimately having it eat Juno instead of Beetlejuice.

What is the role of the character Delia in the musical adaptation?

In the musical, Delia takes on a more significant role, merging with the character of Otho and becoming a life coach for Lydia, while also being revealed as Beetlejuice's mother in an attempt to provide a new antagonist.

How does the musical adaptation address the issue of Beetlejuice's inappropriate attraction to Lydia?

The musical adaptation addresses this issue by making Beetlejuice's intentions purely logistical, with no inappropriate remarks or actions towards Lydia, and by adding a song that sarcastically comments on the concept of 'creepy old guys'.

What are some of the callbacks and reimagined elements from the original film found in the musical?

The musical includes callbacks such as the baseball team in the Netherworld, the snake head repurposed in a sound effect, and an appearance by the shrunken head guy. It also reimagines elements like the handbook for the recently deceased and the Deo haunting.