The cast performs during dress rehearsal of Beetlejuice Jr., a Crescent Heights High School junior high production with several shows next week.--Photo courtesy Colton McKee
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Next week, Crescent Heights High School’s junior high students will take the stage for an energetic and exciting show about death.
Beetlejuice Jr. is an hour-long, slightly cleaned up adaptation of the iconic broadway musical comedy, which in turn is based on the 1988 gothic horror comedy. Director Jennifer Davies says the story is one that will resonate with everyone as it delivers “a really good message about being seen, being heard and celebrating the person you are.”
While the path to reach opening night has been difficult due to the extended break taken during the teacher’s strike, the cast feels more ready than ever, says Emery Stewart, who plays Lydia Deetz.
Beetlejuice Jr. features a unique casting approach in which there are two full casts, with a different combination of each role from night to night.
Onyka Funk, who also plays Lydia, says this allows for unique dynamics as they have different improvisational bits between the various cast combinations.
“Lydia’s been a different role for me to play. Normally, I play a lot of happy little girls, that archetype. But it’s interesting because there are a lot of different and subtle emotions to portray with Lydia as she, like, goes through her struggles. So it’s a great new experience,” said Funk.
Meanwhile, for Winston Hulme who takes the stage as the titular Beetlejuice, it is all in the art of not holding back.
“If he wants to do something, he goes all out,” said Hulme. “He’s kind of fuelled by himself. He’s very egotistical, he’s really in the moment, he doesn’t think of the future. He’s got this chance to get something he wants, and he’ll do just about anything.”
For all of them, they affirmed the best part of the experience has been their companions, from fellow actors to tech and even the directing team. Everyone has been deeply supportive of each other and willing to put in the work, making the show possible despite the unforeseen delay.
“We have spent the last four weeks very focused on performing and now they are ready to show the community all of their amazing skills and talents,” said Davies. “They won’t be holding back. They’re very strong performers.”
Tickets are on sale on the Crescent Heights High School website, with multiple shows on offer. While tickets are available at the door, Davies suggests it is common for these performances to sell out, so anyone with their heart set on a specific night is encouraged to secure a seat ahead of time.
Performances will run Dec. 3, 4 and 5 with two shows each, one at 5 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 will also feature two performances at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to consider seeing the show more than once to see it take on a different energy with the alternate casts.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s a change of scenery, and it’s almost never the exact same show twice,” said Stewart.
