BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL CELEBRATES MIDDLE EAST PREMIERE
BROADWAY LEGEND ANDY KARL MAKES HIS BEETLEJUICE DEBUT
On Friday, the international tour of BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL officially began performances with a gala red-carpet premiere at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. Business leaders, celebrities, creatives, dignitaries, and fans from around the United Arab Emirates gathered to celebrate the launch of the show.
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL, premiering in partnership with Proactiv Entertainment, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and Miral, continues Michael Cassel Group’s ongoing commitment to bringing the best productions in the world to the Middle East, following successful seasons of HAMILTON and THE LION KING in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking at Friday’s premiere, producer and CEO Michael Cassel said: “Following the triumphant seasons of THE LION KING and HAMILTON in Abu Dhabi we are thrilled to return so soon with BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL. A huge thank you to our partners here in Abu Dhabi for making it possible. Our creative and production team and our phenomenal cast, crew and musicians have ensured audiences in Abu Dhabi experience a very special theatrical event when they come to Etihad Arena”.
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL will play Etihad Arena, Yas Island, from 21-30 November 2025. Tickets are available from etihadarena.ae.
The Abu Dhabi premiere marks Broadway star Andy Karl‘s debut as Beetlejuice, joining the Australian cast from the production’s Melbourne season. Following the show’s run in Abu Dhabi, it will tour to Singapore and Brisbane.
Based on Tim Burton’s wonderfully demented film, BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, her new house is haunted by a recently deceased couple and a degenerate demon with a thing for stripes. When Lydia calls on this ghost-with-the-most to scare away her insufferable parents, Beetlejuice comes up with the perfect plan, which involves exorcism, an adorable girl scout who gets scared out of her wits and a whole (nether)world of pandemonium. But under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL is a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Peter and the Starcatcher), with an original score by Tony Award-nominee Eddie Perfect (King Kong), a book by Scott Brown & Emmy Award nominee Anthony King (Broad City), choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom), and music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul (Joan of Arc: Into the Fire).
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL features scenic design by two-time Tony Award nominee David Korins (Hamilton), costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (The Producers), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Kinky Boots), sound design by four-time Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski (Frozen), projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen), puppet design by Drama Desk Award winner Michael Curry (The Lion King), special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), illusions by Michael Weber (Forrest Gump), hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe (Hamilton), make-up design by Joe Dulude II (Wicked), dance arrangements by David Dabbon and music producing by Matt Stine.
Beetlejuice is based on the 1988 Academy Award-winning Geffen Company motion picture with story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson. The smash hit comedy was directed by Tim Burton.