Photos provided by Broadway In Chicago

Hot on the heels of Halloween, Broadway In Chicago’s “Beetlejuice” blew into the breathtaking Auditorium Theatre to haunt and bring its fair share of humor to the landmark venue on a jam-packed opening night.

Though its extended stay lasts through Sunday, November 19, tickets have been flying so fast, it’s already prompted an encore run at the James M. Nederlander Theatre from Tuesday, May 21 to Sunday, May 26, 2024.

In the meantime, Tim Burton’s all-star movie turned multiple Tony Award-nominated musical is a must-see show with a magnetic cast, a devilishly delightful storyline, colossal costumes and supernatural sets straight out of a fantasy.

In spite of being “such a bold departure from the original source material” that leans more towards adults, “Beetlejuice” boldly and brilliantly reimagines its 1988 origins, refreshing many moments for today as it builds upon the premise of gothic-styled teenager Lydia (future superstar Isabella Esler) who befriends the stripes-loving demon baring the show’s namesake (the phenomenal Justin Collette), plus fellow dead couple Adam and Barbara (played respectively by Will Burton and Megan McGinnis).

Of course, the golden Harry Belafonte oldie “Day-O,” remains a centerpiece selection in all its reworked glory, but a generally new soundtrack propels the plot of Lydia desperately trying to reconnect with her “Dead Mom,” despite her real estate-selling father Charles (Jesse Sharp) wanting to move on to the fresh fling of flaky life coach Delia (Kate Marilley).

Indeed, “Beetlejuice” will have some hearts a fluttering as several unsuspecting house guests get involuntarily swooped six feet under and those who are spared get spooked, but rest assured the irreverent jokes flow just as frequently as the screams, especially given the sheer outrageousness of each ghastly ghoul.

And for every silly shout-out to a “Creepy Old Guy,” there’s the sentimental side of a ballad like “Home,” which provides at least a little solace following some serious soul-searching in the afterlife known as the Netherworld.

While references to death abound throughout the two-plus hours, albeit usually very cheeky ones, the underlying essence of “Beetlejuice” is actually quite life-affirming as it leads audiences to laugh their heads off and leave wanting to make “the most of every Day-O!”

“Beetlejuice” continues at the Auditorium Theatre through Sunday, November 19. For additional details, visit BeetlejuiceBroadway.com, AuditoriumTheatre.org and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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