Beetlejuice Jr. is a family-friendly, hour-long, gothic funhouse adaptation of the Tim Burton cult-classic film of the same name. Cleverly directed by Nicole and John Sivak, it’s an irreverent, zany show full of humor, heart and enormous sand worm puppets. The plot – as Beetlejuice declares in his meta opening number, “Being Dead” – is a “bold departure from the original source material.” While the movie centers on Barbara and Adam (hilariously played by self-proclaimed BFFs Grace Ingersoll and Henry Reeves) as the young, married ghosts haunting their own home, the musical shifts its focus to Lydia Deetz, the death-obsessed teenager grappling with the recent passing of her mother.
Lydia, played by the talented and poised Olivia Garren, is the first character we meet in the production’s mournful opener, “Prologue: Invisible.” Garren delivers an emotive rendition, showcasing a nuanced vocal talent well beyond her years. At 15, she is already a seasoned professional at the Hoogland, having performed in PAVE, ACTT, Hoogland Education and Springfield Theatre Center shows.
“I love Lydia’s character, but she’s a big stretch because I’m a happy person and she’s sad all the time. But it’s fun to play someone so different from myself,” said Garren.
The mood changes abruptly when Beetlejuice bursts onstage looking like a deranged ringmaster and sings, “Hope you’re ready for a show about death!” High school junior Jackson Thornton blends Beetlejuice’s morbid darkness with a cartoon physicality most adult performers only wish they could attain. It is difficult not to worry about his voice as he sings flawlessly through a characterized, vocal-fry that sounds like he’s chewing gravel. Thornton doesn’t falter, though, and he delivers a demonically joyful performance throughout.
Henry Reeves, Olivia Garren and Grace Ingersoll. PHOTO BY MATT FRANKLIN
“To be able to ad-lib, have fun, make jokes and scare kids, all while doing a funny voice,” has been the highlight of his experience in this iconic role, Thornton said.
The fun clearly extends off-stage as well. Jack Rollins, the 12-year-old who delightfully plays Lydia’s dad, demonstrated his wit when asked about his favorite part of the show process. Vocal director Christie Lazarides and choreographer Becky Gowin clamored humorously behind him – attempting to sway his answer their way – until Rollins knowingly responded that he most enjoys “getting to know more people, specifically the cast.” All of the cast describes the supportive and fun staff, along with fellow actors, as the best part of their experience.
Other scene-stealers are Kayleigh Paris as Delia, Theo Harmon as Maxie Dean, Polly Phemister as Juno, Genevieve Kent as Miss Argentina and Livy Craven as Sky. A special shout-out is reserved for featured dancer Atlas Phemister – whom the world will be watching as a professional ballet dancer sooner rather than later.
“The talent in this show is exceptional, it’s what makes it special,” said Lazarides.
The competition for spots was fierce. “We had over 100 kids audition – that was a hard day,” Gowin recalled.
This selective process resulted in a final cast of just 30, stacking Beetlejuice Jr. with the most impressive community talent, aged 8 to 18, and representing nearly every local school. Combine that with the exceptional costumes, set and stage design and a heavy dose of goofy macabre, Beetlejuice Jr. packs an enjoyable, theatrical punch. Do yourself a favor: say his name and buy a ticket (maybe three)!
For those who like their monsters a bit more on the serious side, Frankenstein opens this weekend on the Peggy Ryder stage. Based on the novel by Mary Shelley and directed by Mark Buckholz for Spencer Theatre Company, Frankenstein tells the tragic story of a grotesque monster cast out into our cruel world. The show utilizes dark humor, pieces of traditional and original music and takes place on a generally fluid set. It is accompanied by “The Frankenstein Event” – a gothic sideshow held in the HCFTA boardroom across from the theater that begins 90 minutes before curtain and lets audience members experience the fun of Frankenstein. A variety of activities and special guests will be featured and all ticketholders are welcome.
“The most rewarding part of the process is when various pieces of the show come together and everybody contributes to the vision. Something that didn’t exist before comes into being – and with a soul – not unlike Victor’s creature,” said Buckholz.
Beetlejuice Jr. continues its run at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in LRS Theatre Oct. 10-12.
Frankenstein opens in Peggy Ryder Theatre Oct. 10-12 and continues its run Oct. 17-19. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
Tickets for both shows are available by calling 217-523-2787 or visiting HCFTA.org.
This article appears in October 9-15, 2025.
