Lydia was well played by the amazingly talented and amazingly young (first professional show; just graduated high school) Isabella Esler. She was a highlight in a sea of more seasoned professionals. Justin Collette lived up to his Micheal-Keaton-inspired star turn as the title character — delightfully disgusting and a killer song-and-dance man — also obliterating the fourth wall with a host of charming asides.
Brittney Coleman and Will Burton were fun and relatable as the newly-dead couple studying the Recently Dead Guidebook and developing their relationship and personal empowerment. Jesse Sharp was a believable distracted Dad, bulldozing his plans to remodel the newly-dead couple's house and masking the loss of his wife by hooking up with “life coach” Delia played by Kate Mariley - who was an absolute hoot in every scene.
The set was fun, with the wacky-angle house, attic and nether world — all enhanced by animated projections and very emphatic lighting.
I would call it sort of PG with some adult language and sexual references, and the show is not short, about 2 1/2 hours which includes intermission — but the audience had a generous smattering of children — and quite a few folks in Beetlejuice costume — and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Beetlejuice runs through March 19. Tickets at http://whartoncenter.com — with matinees almost sold out. Reserve soon!