Bentley Hines as Beetlejuice and Angelina Ferris as Lydia Deetz. Photo by THsquared Photography.
“Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” The wildly popular musical adaptation of the classic film is returning to Broadway this October. In the meantime, local audiences can experience this theatrical adventure right here in Maryland. “Beetlejuice Jr.,” a family-friendly version of this theatrical phenomenon, can currently be seen at Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre. Performed by the wickedly talented Cockpit in Court Royal Court Jesters (the young people’s troupe) and brilliantly directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt (with superb musical direction by Charlotte Evans), “Beetlejuice Jr.” is an otherworldly outing that is a multi-dimensional treat.
…a multi-dimensional treat.…will captivate all ages.
As the show opens, we are introduced to 15-year-old Lydia Deetz (Angelina Ferris) whose mother, Emily, has died. Lydia is deeply affected by this tragedy, and her father, Charles (Robbie Heer), decides to move the family to a new house to help Lydia move forward. We then meet the Maitlands, Adam (Joey Marks) and Barbara (Finley Harper McCully), who are discussing plans for their future as a couple but then die by accidental electrocution. Upon their death, they encounter the wacky demon, Beetlejuice (Bentley Hines), who is invisible to any living person unless they say his name three times. Beetlejuice informs Adam and Barbara that the Deetzes have bought their house. In order to keep it, the couple will have to scare away the new family, so they accept Beetlejuice’s offer to help them.
After the Deetzes move in, Lydia works with Delia (Kaitlyn Bell), a life coach that Charles hired to help with Lydia’s grieving. Because Lydia can see ghosts, she encounters the Maitlands. Since Lydia doesn’t want to stay in the house, she tries to convince her father that the house is haunted. Soon after, she learns that her father and Delia are engaged. Lydia befriends Beetlejuice, who gets her to free him from his invisibility curse. Along the way, Lydia and her father venture to the Netherworld in hopes of reuniting with Emily, tangling with an eccentric cast of characters along the journey.
Hines was spectacular in the title role, splendidly engaging the audience with his outgoing, humorous flair. His confident stage presence was remarkable for someone so young, and he impressively maintained Beetlejuice’s trademark growl while speaking and singing. Ferris exhibited a phenomenal pop/rock singing voice, grippingly expressing poignant heartache for her mother’s death. Heer excellently portrayed Charles’ dignified demeanor while hosting a business dinner and perfectly communicated his love for his daughter and the pain from the loss of his wife. Bell was effervescent as Delia, performing with contagious enthusiasm. She conveyed kindness to Lydia when trying to connect with her which was was endearing. As the Maitlands, Marks’ and McCully’s voices blended seamlessly, notably in their duet, “Ready, Set, Not Yet.” Both performers also demonstrated flawless comedic technique and slapstick when they were haunting the residence.
The gifted ensemble collectively played a range of different characters. Standout performances included Abigail Heer (girl scout/Sky), RJ Oakey (Delia’s guru/Otho), Lily Anderson (Netherworld resident/ Miss Argentina), and Natalie Heer (Beetlejuice’s mother/Juno). Heer was adorable as Sky, and her sweet voice was the ideal vehicle for her solo, “Girl Scout.” As Miss Argentina, Anderson displayed astonishing dance and vocal talent, performing an intricate tango and salsa routine while executing complex singing in her powerhouse solo, “What I Know Now.” Oakey was charming as Otho, his animated expressions ideally complementing his spirited delivery. Heer’s side-splitting portrayal of Juno was tremendously entertaining and a highlight of the show. Speaking with a brassy Brooklyn accent, she hilariously depicted the character’s bombastic personality, eliciting uproarious laughter.
Amanda Poxon’s energetic choreography effectively recreated some of the story’s most famous scenes (including the iconic “Day-O” conga line), and her elaborate tap sequence in “That Beautiful Sound” was well-received. Poxon’s dances colorfully brought each character to life, from the haunting movement of the ghosts to the cartwheeling acrobatics of the cheerleaders. Costume Designer Robyn Alvarez outfitted the actors with extraordinary detail, including an artistic replication of Beetlejuice’s iconic striped suit. Tyrell Stanley’s lighting design, combined with Theresa Foggo’s set design, imaginatively represented a vast landscape of locations, from a chilling graveyard to a cozy living room. Properties Master Amy Vickers brought Beetlejuice’s legendary sandworm to life in the form of a giant multi-person puppet, drawing an enthusiastic response each time it appeared onstage.
This production is an eerie excursion, with heartwarming themes that will that will captivate all ages. Well worth the journey to the Netherworld (rather, CCBC Essex), theatregoers should take full advantage of the opportunity to experience this beloved Broadway musical.
Running Time: Approximately one hour and 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission
“Beetlejuice Jr.” runs through July 20, 2025 at Cockpit in Court Royal Court Jesters, CCBC Essex (Administration Building, Lecture Hall), 7201 Rossville Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21237. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go online, call 443.840.ARTS (2787), or visit the Box Office prior to the performance.
