ROCKPORT — The Cape Ann YMCA theater team will bring the hauntingly humorous tale of “Beetlejuice Jr.” to life in an unusual venue at Evans Field.
Shows are Thursday, July 31, and Friday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m. outdoors, with chairs set up for the audience, or they can sit on the nearby grassy hill if desired.
When this adaption of the movie came to the Broadway stage, “Beetlejuice” was nominated for eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best New Musical. It was later adapted into this student version.
“My team and I were so excited to produce ‘Beetlejuice Jr.’ and make our YMCA theater debut in Rockport on Evans Field,” Director Heidi Dallin said. “I am not sure if many theater performances have been held on Evans Field, but we love performing here.”
This story focuses on family relationships, humor and imaginative magical reality, noted Dallin who has been working with students from several towns this summer.
Music Theatre International provided this synopsis: Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother. Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (nether)world of pandemonium.
The musical features songs like “Day-O” (aka “The Banana Boat Song”) and “Jump in the Line” as well as original songs.
“These songs really give our young actors a chance to shine, including Aubrey Hamm as Lydia and Molly Doherty as Beetlejuice,” Dallin said. “’Beetlejuice Jr.’ is sure to leave the audience laughing and singing those catchy tunes for hours after the show.”
The production team includes Music Director Anthony Prestigiovanni, a music teacher at Gloucester’s West Parish Elementary School; Choreographer Seania McCarthy, a Rockport Middle School choreographer and technical director; and Stage Manager Julia Drost, a Rockport native and Tufts University senior.
Drew Cohen, Music Theatre International’s President and CEO, noted that this show has a large fan base among all ages and from around the country. He gave a shout-out to Dallin and the Cape Ann YMCA theater team for bringing this musical “so vividly to life … figuratively speaking, of course.”
Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door on the day of the performance.
If rain cancels a show, the show will go on Monday, Aug. 4, at 4 p.m. For information, people may call 978-283-0499.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.