If you grew up slightly obsessed with the 1988 cult film Beetlejuice — the stripes, the sandworms, the chaotic dinner party scene — then buckle up. Because the musical version isn’t just a nostalgic retread. It’s louder, bigger, weirder, and somehow even more heartfelt.
And now we’ve summoned him — Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice — it’s Brisbane’s turn from June 2026.
After a Broadway smash hit run and a wildly successful Melbourne season led by the show’s composer Eddie Perfect in the title role, Beetlejuice the Musical is heading to Queensland Performing Arts Centre. For Brisbane performer Angelique Cassimatis, it’s deeply personal to be bringing such a smash hit show back to her hometown. “We’re so lucky to be getting Beetlejuice coming to Brisbane so quickly!” Angelique says. “It hasn’t even gone to London yet! It’s done Broadway, a tour of New York, and then it’s come to Australia. It’s hot off the press!”
She’s not exaggerating. Brisbane isn’t getting the watered-down, tenth-anniversary revival. This is the high-energy, cult-favourite musical that built a ferociously loyal fanbase — a show that departs from the original film by digging deeper into Lydia’s grief, giving Beetlejuice far more stage time, and layering outrageous comedy with surprising emotional punch.
Angelique is part of the ensemble and pops up in the gloriously scene-stealing cameo role of Miss Argentina, the recently deceased beauty queen who delivers the show-stopping number What I Know Now. It’s the kind of performance that can flip an audience in under five minutes. But first? She’s everywhere and somehow still has the energy to pull off her show-stopping moment. “I do the opening number, I’m a cheerleader, I’m a goblin, I’m a puppet at one point. So I do all the bits before. And it’s almost like I’m sort of in safe, power-saving mode.” It’s theatrical energy budgeting at its finest.
“And then I make sure I have the last little bit of energy after [the song] That Beautiful Sound, so that I can bring the excitement and the energy as Miss Argentina to remind Lydia that living is such a special gift. I treat it like a marathon, not a race and use my energy wisely.” And when she’s done?
“And then literally, when What I Know Now is done, I’m like, ‘I’m finished!’ Even though we have another number and we’ve got bows to do. I’m like, ‘phew, spent, finished’!” It’s relatable. It’s iconic. It’s giving undead.
The Melbourne season had its own pinch-me moments for Angelique, particularly working alongside Eddie Perfect — the man who wrote the score and then casually decided to star in the show in the titular role. “He’s such an incredible person. Like, what a guy,” she gushes. “There’s honestly nothing that dude can’t do. He’s so incredibly talented. The whole cast had this feeling of pride and feeling so grateful to be with the guy who was there from the very start.”
It’s rare, she says, to work on a production with someone who’s been part of it since its conception. “It was just so special having Eddie there, hearing all the stories, hearing all the little jokes, hearing how things started, and then getting to sit back and watch this guy absolutely nail this role.”
Now, as the production heads to Brisbane, Broadway heavyweight Andy Karl is stepping into the iconic striped suit. “Obviously, as a theater geek, I’ve seen Andy on Broadway… I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s Andy Karl!’” she enthuses. “And let me tell you Brisbane, he does not disappoint, he’s this powerhouse of energy and force. It’s wonderful to be around people like that. You can’t help but be inspired by hanging around them.”
For Angelique, bringing Beetlejuice home carries extra weight. “I saw my first show here at QPAC.” she explains. “This is literally the theatre I first realised I wanted to perform for a living when I was a tiny human. Walking through that stage door, and performing on that same stage is so special.”
And beneath the chaos and comedy, there’s special about the show and the timing of its run, too.
“I think what’s so wonderful about it is that yes, it’s comedy, it’s SO funny, but it’s also so heartfelt. I think that’s what we need at the moment. I think a lot of us have forgotten how to laugh,” Angelique explains.
More than anything, she hopes the show reminds people why live performance matters. “I think what I hope audiences take away from the show is a love for theater and the love for seeing live shows,” she says. “Live performance can really conjure something inside of you… and with the internet, social media, and even AI which is scary, live experiences are what I think — what I hope — people will start to crave.”
And if she could whisper something to that little girl way back then, sitting in the QPAC audience seeing her first show and dreaming of the stage?
“Don’t — and Angelique, even when you read back this interview, this is for you still! — don’t sit around and wait for the phone to ring. Do things. Do the thing that you want to do. Put on that play, do that cabaret, contact that person and ask if you can use their music, or if you can work with them. What are they going to do? Say no? But what if they say yes?”
In other words: say it three times. Back yourself. And step into the spotlight when it calls.
WHAT: Beetlejuice The Musical
WHEN: from June 2026.
WHERE: Queensland Performing Arts Centre
TICKETS: Get your tickets to Beetlejuice the Musical via qpac.com.au
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
