News Photo Anna Smith
The titular character takes the stage during one of the numbing numbers of CHHS' Beetlejuice Jr.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Last week, director Jennifer Davies told the News that she was proud of the performers for Beetlejuice Jr. She absolutely should be.
The cast at Crescent Heights High School is clearly both talented and passionate about the one-hour production, which shows in every scene regardless of who is on stage. The atmosphere is overwhelmingly grounded and heartfelt, exactly what is needed to portray a scenario that families hope to never experience with the sudden passing of a parent.
This, of course, only makes the inclusion of the ghost plot line and Beetlejuice’s presence all the more hilarious. The young actor’s impression of the iconic voice is spot-on, as is the exaggerated demeanour known to all lovers of the ghost with the most. Having him turn to the audience to lightly scold them for clapping after the demise of the Maitlands or to ask them to laugh after an admittedly terrible joke maintains a strong sense of levity on an otherwise heavy topic.
It is, after all, a show about death.
Both leads showcased absolutely standout vocals of a caliber expected in high end community productions or even professional stages. Songs such as “Dead Mom” and “That Beautiful Sound” absolutely steal the show both in terms of singing and in simple but evocative blocking.
While some of the songs are shortened or altered for the purposes of making the story appropriate for younger audiences, they manage to make these changes feel natural.
The same could be said of the story, which is likewise tidied up to be more accessible for the cast and younger theatre-goers alike. For fans of the film, be advised that the ending of this production is faithful to the musical over the 1988 film, but attendees can take this as an opportunity to be surprised and delighted by the new direction.
It would be remiss not to mention the lighting, as Crescent Heights High School has taken a more tech-heavy approach to their set dressing. Most of the background work is done with the use of a projection and a series of panels, moved at key moments to create depth.
This allowed for fantastical and detailed backdrops that would have been intensive, if not outright impossible, to portray with practical effects.
Beyond this projection, however, was the vivid coloured lights that changed on a dime, such as flashes of green each time Lydia says our titular demon’s name, bright red and notably even a blacklight during a visually stunning dance break.
At only an hour, Beetlejuice Jr is an excellent way to spend a portion of an evening and at the price worth seeing more than once, to experience different dynamics with CHHS’ two full casts guaranteeing a fresh experience from night to night.
