Brisbane, it’s time to get spooky! Earlier this year, Melbourne scored the Australian premiere of Beetlejuice the Musical, starring the one and only Eddie Perfect, who wrote the music and lyrics for the cult Broadway hit. Now, it’s just been announced that the eight-time Tony Award-nominated show is returning to Australia in June 2026 for a season at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Let's get spooked!
If you haven’t seen Tim Burton’s beloved 1988 comedy-horror film, Beetlejuice follows the story of a recently deceased couple, Barbara and Adam, who enlist a mischievous bio-exorcist ghost to scare out the pesky new family in their home. But when Beetlejuice is unleashed, chaos reigns – and he takes an unexpected interest in the family’s teen daughter, Lydia Deetz, who’s obsessed with the afterlife.
The green-haired, striped-suit-wearing ghost that featured in the nightmares of '90s kids has been transported from screen to stage in the critically acclaimed musical version with a serious following. Picture dancing footballer zombies, exorcisms and so much more weirdness, plus super-catchy songs, rollicking, colourful dance numbers – and a giant stripey worm or two.
Reprising their roles from the Melbourne season of Beetlejuice the Musical are Karis Oka as gothic teen Lydia Deetz, Elise McCann as Barbara Maitland, Rob Johnson as Adam Maitland, Erin Clare as Delia Deetz and Tom Wren as Charles Deetz. The one major change is that Broadway star Andy Karl – from Groundhog Day, Rocky, Pretty Woman, Legally Blonde and Moulin Rouge! – is stepping in as Beetlejuice.
Keen to see Beetlejuice the Musical in Brisbane from June 2026? You can join the ticket waitlist now on QPAC’s website.