The cast of Beetlejuice Jr. brings a story about death to life on the Renner stage as they embody an eccentric roster of characters in a string of back-to-back weekend shows in July. Show dates are July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26, with a start time of 8:00 p.m., and two Sunday matinees are set for July 20 and 27 at 2:30 p.m.
“The play is an interesting twist on the original movie,” said Beetlejuice Jr. Director Andie Schmitt. “The cast is slightly different. Delia is a different type of character, which, of course, makes things interesting, because people are going to be coming to the show, if they don’t know what Beetlejuice the Musical is, they’re going to be coming to the show sort of expecting what the movie was, and then they’re just going to be in for a very pleasant surprise.”
Area youth displayed so much talent during auditions that the decision was made to double-cast many of the roles, creating two cast lists dubbed the “Green Cast” and “Purple Cast”. The “Green Cast” performs the first two and last two shows, July 17, 18, 26, and 27. For the “Purple Cast,” show times are July 19, 20, 24, and 25.
The “Green Cast” list includes: Hayden Weck as Beetlejuice, Sadie Finck as Lydia, Jaxson Preston as Charles, Olivia Jenkins as Delia, Logan Dotson as Adam, Amelia Koenig as Barbara, Ellesyn Gibson as Miss Argentina, Alaina Roberts as Juno, Carson Rose as Maxie Dean, Zoey Knapp as Maxine, Michael Trimble as Guru Otho, Sophia Starcher as Priest, Grace Allred as Sky, Maddox Turner as Dead Jockey, Makenzie Touvell as Shrunken Head, Norah Greipenstroh as Machete Groom, Arilina Lipps as Dead Cheerleader, Kerrigan Lonas as Parachute Jumper, Emma Vansickle as Death by Toaster, Haidyn Touvell and Kindie Gibson as Death by Fireworks, and Maddox Turner as Cater Waiter. The Recently Deceased are played by Kinley Pulley, Aubrey Thompson, Paige Lilly, Kieran Blair, Maci Burns, May Huffman, Lillian Morgenstern, Preslee Davis, and Sophia Starcher. Beetlejuice Clones are Aubrey Thompson, May Huffman, Arlie Leasure, Waverly Miller, Preslee Davis, Paislee Watson, Athena Middleton, Maddox Turner, Paige Lilly, Kinley Pulley, Kiernan Blair, Judah Greipenstroh, and Jackson Mount. Movers are Bridget Stafford, Paislee Watson, Aalyiah Matheney, and Payton Brown. Cheer Team members include Maci Burns, Violet Browning, Lillian Morgenstern, Arlina Lipps, Amelia Nicholoplous, Clare Coll, Ariel Miskovich, Izzy Householder, Sophia Starcher, Kinley Pulley, Emma Vansickle, Paige Lilly, Kiernan Blair, and Elizabeth Gilliam. Lawyers are Paige Lilly, Ariel Miskovich, Clare Coll, Kerrigan Lonas, Autimn Smith, Bridget Stafford, Binley Pulley, Aubrey Thompson, Kiernan Blair, Amelia Koenig, Jackson Mount, Madison Scott, and Katelyn Dotson. Girl Scouts are Athena Middleton, Evelynn Dunn, Preslee Davis, Waverly Miller, Karly Barnhart, Izzy Householder, Everly Rose, and Makenna Lighthizer. Statues are Haidyn Touvell, Kindie Gibson, and Mackenzie Touvell. Members of the Studio Audience are played by Gnash Szeker, Norah Greipenstroh, Aaliyah Matheney, Evelynn Dunn, Karsor Kirkpatrick, Izzy Householder, Karley Barnhart, and Elizabeth Gilliam. The Sandworm is Waverly Miller, Evelynn Dunn, Preslee Davis, Karsor Kirkpatrick, and Everly Rose.
“Purple Cast” members include: Jaxson Preston as Beetlejuice, Josie Smith as Lydia, Logan Dotson as Charles, Mia Gross as Delia, Hayden Weck as Adam, Amelia Koenig as Barbara, Katelyn Dotson as Miss Argentina, Madison Scott as Juno, Carson Rose as Maxie Dean, Jackson Mount as Guru Otho, Sophia Starcher as Priest, Clare Coll as Sky, Maddox Turner as Dead Jockey, Makenzie Touvell as Shrunken Head, Autumn Smith as Machete Groom, Amelia Nichikiplous as Dead Cheerleader, Makenna Lighthizer as Parachute Jumper, Peyton Brown as Death by Toaster, Haidyn Touvell and Kindie Gibson as Death by Fireworks, and Maddox Turner as Cater Waiter. The Recently Deceased are played by Kinley Pulley, Aubrey Thompson, Paige Lilly, Kiernan Blair, Maci Burns, May Huffman, Lillian Morgenstern, Preslee Davis, and Sophia Starcher. Beetlejuice Clones are Aubrey Thompson, May Huffman, Arlie Leasure, Waverly Miller, Preslee Davis, Paislee Watson, Athena Middleton, Maddox Turner, Paige Lilly, Kinley Pulley, Kiernan Blair, Judah Greipenstroh, Zoey Knapp, and Alaina Roberts. Movers are Bridget Stafford, Paislee Watson, Aalyiah Mathney, and Payton Brown. The Cheer Team includes Maci Burns, Violet Browning, Lillian Morgenstern, Arlina Lipps, Amelia Nicholoplous, Ariel Miskovich, Izzy Householder, Grace Allred, Sophia Starcher, Kinley Pulley, Emma Vansickle, Paige Lilly, Kiernan Blair, and Elizabeth Gilliam. The Lawyers are Grace Allred, Paige Lilly, Ariel Miskovich, Kerrigan Lonas, Autumn Smith, Bridget Stafford, Kinley Pulley, Aubrey Thompson, Kiernan Blair, Alaina Roberts, Ellesyn Gibson, and Michael Trimble. Girl Scouts are Athena Middleton, Evelynn Dunn, Preslee Davis, Waverly Miller, Karly Barnhart, Izzy Householder, Everly Rose, and Makenna Lighthizer. Statues are Haidyn Touvell, Kindie Gibson, and Mackenzie Touvell. The Studio Audience is made up of Gnash Szeker, Norah Greipenstroh, Aaliyah Matheney, Evelynn Dunn, Karsor Kirkpatrick, Izzy Householder, Karly Barnhart, and Elizabeth Gilliam. The Sandworm is Waverly Miller, Evelynn Dunn, Preslee Davis, Karsor Kirkpatrick, and Everly Rose.
“This is my very first show to direct,” explained Schmitt. “I wasn’t expecting to direct it. It was something that they had asked me if I’d be willing to do, and I loved that. I loved the idea of it, but I was a little scared, because I always expect my first show to just be a few people to start. I thought that was going to be my first experience in directing. And then when they said it was a junior show, and I’ve watched junior shows, I was terrified that I was going to be too stern or too this, and maybe not connect with all the different ages that are involved. But I think I’ve done a pretty good job, especially with the rest of the directing team and production team, in finding a good balance.”
Working with Andie as part of the crew are Marley Kennedy, Assistant Director; Nate Kearns, Musical Director; Jessica Cunningham, Producer; Hayden Weck, Choreographer; Addy Weck, Stage Manager; Hannah Fasilis, Property Manager; Dakota McConaha, Lighting Designer; Bruce Revennaugh, Sound Designer; Bruce Revennaugh, Set Designer and Tickets; Shelley Tolliver, Set Designer/Videography/Social Media; Rich Tolliver, Set Designer; Jessica Cunningham, Set Designer/Interviews and Photography/Social Media/House Manager/ Audience Choice; Stacy Katz, Website and Social Media; and Caitlin Staker, Program Designer. Set construction was made possible through the efforts of Shelley Tolliver, Rich Tolliver, Bruce Revennaugh, Nate Kearns, Jessica Cunningham, Reid Mudgett, Dakota McConaha, and the cast during work parties. Costumes were created by the team consisting of Shelley Tolliver and Andie Schmitt, with help from the cast. Scott Robison, Kristie Howard, and Margi Wysong helped with general maintenance.
“I think it’s just going to be a spectacular show for anyone that’s never watched any of our shows to come because it’s fun, it’s interesting. There’s no risk of boredom, for sure,” Schmitt said. “It’s more appropriate for teens, and it’s very appropriate for kids. So I think it’s just a good option for all ages to come as an audience.”
Get your tickets soon because they are selling faster than you can say Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Secure your seats online by purchasing your tickets at zanetraceplayers.ludus.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door; however, it is best to get them ahead because seating is limited.
Visit www.therenner.org for additional information on upcoming shows, including the August Renner production, Whistle Down the Wind, and the October show, Carrie the Musical.
CAPTION: Some of the Beetlejuice Jr. cast represented their upcoming play in the 2025 Zane’s Trace Parade. [by Lynette Dotson]