Podcast Summary: "BEETLEJUICE is finally coming to London! | Why the Broadway musical will play a limited West End run"

Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Host: Mickey Jo
Date: September 26, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode dives into the much-anticipated transfer of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” from Broadway to London’s West End. Mickey Jo unpacks the reasons for the long wait, the details of the announced production at the Prince Edward Theatre, its “limited haunting” run, potential casting choices, and whether Beetlejuice is poised for success in the UK.

1. Excitement and Context for London Arrival

• Main News:
  • Beetlejuice is officially transferring to the West End, opening at the Prince Edward Theatre in May 2026.
  • This marks its first full UK production (not counting cruise ship performances).
• Host’s Tone:
  • Ecstatic, tongue-in-cheek, playful ("I don’t know why you’re all acting so shocked. I said it at least three times." [02:33]).
  • Speaks directly to fans who've begged for this transfer "for not even months, years at this point" [02:45].
• Anticipation:
  • This transfer has been hotly requested by British theater fans for years—Mickey Jo describes it as "the most anticipated Broadway musical transfer in years" [05:18].

2. Essential Details of the West End Production

• Venue and Dates:

  • Prince Edward Theatre (a significant, large venue with a capacity of 1,727—larger than Beetlejuice’s previous Broadway homes) [14:00].
  • Performances start May 2026.
  • Tickets go on general sale: Thursday, 30th October (noted for its Halloween theming) [07:25].
  • Presented by: Crossroads Live UK & Warner Bros Theatre Ventures.

• Run Structure:

  • The show is planned as a "limited haunting," i.e., a limited run, not an open-ended residency [09:15, 29:12].
  • Uncommon for a splashy Broadway musical with online fame, but likely due to venue scheduling and producer caution [29:44].

3. Background & History of Beetlejuice on Stage

• Broadway History:
  • Opened originally at the Winter Garden Theatre in 2019.
  • Achieved cult status and massive online following (notably on TikTok).
  • Closed and later revived at the Marquee Theatre in 2022 (post-COVID), then returning for a festive run at the Palace Theatre.
• Touring:
  • Completed a record 88-city North American tour with recouped investment (even when Broadway didn’t) [16:49].
  • Staged internationally in Tokyo, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, Melbourne, and—quirkily—on a Norwegian cruise ship, technically making its European debut at sea [08:55].
• Quote:
  • "It became one of the very first musicals to go viral on TikTok...earning the show fans worldwide in the millions." [18:35]
• Fan Frenzy vs. Financial Reality:
  • Despite virality and fan campaigns, the Broadway run never officially recouped; highlights the gap between online buzz and box office [19:30].
  • "Media virality is not enough to keep you open on Broadway..." [19:57]
  • The "controversial but entirely legal move" of being ousted from its original theater by the more lucrative revival of “The Music Man” starring Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman [20:30].

4. What to Expect in London

a. Creative & Production Team

• Original Broadway Creative Team will return:
  • Book: Scott Brown & Anthony King
  • Music/Lyrics: Eddie Perfect (who played Beetlejuice in Australia)
  • Director: Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Here Lies Love) [09:55]

b. Set & Production Design

• London will likely see the US tour set, as is common with Broadway transfers, but details could change [10:02].

c. Venue Suitability

• Prince Edward Theatre is among the West End's largest—previously hosted big Disney and Cameron Mackintosh musicals [14:25].
• Similar capacity to biggest Broadway houses, meaning the London engagement is "one of Beetlejuice's largest homes" [14:10].

5. Casting Speculation & Possibilities

• Beetlejuice Role:
  • Widespread wish for Alex Brightman (originator of the Broadway role) to reprise his performance [03:25, 24:22].
    • He’s publicly expressed interest in playing the role in London, though he’s "not a big fan of flying," jokes Mickey Jo ("I humbly suggest a transatlantic Disney cruise" [25:33]).
  • If a UK performer is cast, suggestions include:
    • Jack Malone (Olivier Antonio Award winner, horror fan, has stated interest) [26:20]
    • Simon Lipkin ("hugely charismatic...brilliant performer" with vocal ability to match the role, currently starring in Oliver!) [26:45]
    • Gabriel Vick (could be an “interesting Beetlejuice” due to vocal flexibility) [27:14]
• Other Key Roles:
  • Delia/Ms. Argentina: Would they be doubled (as on Broadway) or played separately?
  • Dream cast names floated: Maz Murray, Rebecca Locke, Julie Atherton, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Gina Bett, Hayley Flackerty [24:55–25:20].
  • For Lydia: Potentially a drama school graduate or an alumna from the musical "Six," with Zoe Athena highlighted as a rising star [27:20].
  • "If there’s one role I’m not worried about casting in the UK, it’s that one. We have an abundance of talent, particularly young talent." [27:27]
• Listener Engagement:
  • Listeners are encouraged to share their own casting ideas in comments [27:34].

6. Why a Limited Run? (And Will It Succeed?)

• Limited Haunting Defined:
  • The show is upfront about not being open-ended; this could be due to:
    • Scheduling (another production may be booked for Prince Edward in 2027)
    • Cautious approach, aiming to quickly recoup and then tour [29:33–30:31].
• Potential Trajectory:
  • If successful, could follow the Mean Girls model by touring the UK after the West End engagement—and perhaps returning to London later [30:47]
• Financial Prognosis:
  • Success is likely—limited window + established demand from UK fans
  • No “star” casting needed: “Beetlejuice is the name. It’s a property that people are familiar with.” [31:57]
• Cultural Readiness:
  • UK audiences are increasingly receptive to quirky, offbeat, campy musicals (e.g., Addams Family, Death Becomes Her) [33:00]
• Mickey Jo’s Prediction:
  • "Do I think it’s going to be hugely successful in a limited run? Yes, absolutely I do." [34:02]
  • He expects musical theatre fans to "supercharge this one at the box office" [32:07].
• Quote:
  • "What I mean by that…audiences, I think, are gradually warming to the idea of these funny, offbeat, spooky, throwback, cult parody-esque musicals..." [33:16]

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fan Enthusiasm:
  • "Every time I have spoken about a musical opening, the comments have always been Beetlejuice. Is it Beetlejuice? When are we getting Beetlejuice?" [02:48]
• On the Production's Marketing:
  • "Welcome to the time of your afterlife—a slogan that’s sort of giving spooky Dirty Dancing." [06:30]
• On Broadway’s business realities:
  • "It is all very well, Beetlejuice going viral and getting fans around the world, but if those fans can’t get to the theater to go and see it, then they can’t help it stay open and be really financially successful." [21:40]
• On Limited Run:
  • "You would be forgiven for scanning through this press release and not pick on the fact that it is a limited run...It says ‘limited haunting’..." [29:12]
• On UK Musical Theatre Scene:
  • "There’s not a lot of other shows like Beetlejuice for West End audiences, and it might also do better for having taken a few more years to get here." [32:45]

8. Episode Structure & Listener Engagement

• Listener interaction encouraged:
  • Mickey Jo consistently asks for comment section responses—about casting, hopes, travel plans, and other anticipated Broadway-to-West End transfers [03:40, 09:00, 27:34].
• Preview/Review Promise:
  • Mickey Jo plans to see the show both in New York and London, offering early reviews and behind-the-scenes content [34:29].

9. Segment Timestamps

• [02:23] — Announcement & fan anticipation: "And the one that people are gonna ask me about...is Beetlejuice."
• [05:12] — Venue and ticketing details from press release
• [10:17] — Recap of Beetlejuice’s journey and unique Broadway path
• [12:44] — Show description & creative team
• [14:00] — Venue capacity comparison and production history
• [18:35] — Viral TikTok/pandemic era impact
• [24:22] — Speculation on Alex Brightman and other casting possibilities
• [29:12] — Explanation of “limited haunting” and run duration
• [33:00] — Cultural fit for the UK audience
• [34:02] — Final predictions for the show’s West End fortunes

10. Closing Thoughts

Mickey Jo ends with infectious enthusiasm, reminders to subscribe for future reviews, and a rallying call: “You never need to ask me if it's going to happen again. It's happening everybody. We're there.” [34:50]

TL;DR:
Beetlejuice: The Musical finally comes to London in May 2026 at the Prince Edward Theatre for a limited run. Despite viral popularity and years of fan requests, its transfer has been cautious and calculated. Major Broadway creative forces will lead the West End production, but casting details are wide open (with fans hoping for Alex Brightman or a star UK Beetlejuice). Given its established fan base and increasing British appetite for quirky cult musicals, Mickey Jo confidently predicts a "terrifyingly hilarious treat," primed to sell out—even without a celebrity headliner.