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The ghost with the most: Tony-nominated 'Beetlejuice' to bring seven shows to Popejoy Hall
Isabella Esler isn鈥檛 afraid to take chances.
Sure, there鈥檚 that inner voice that brings up questions and scenarios 鈥� oftentimes making her backtrack.
She鈥檚 learned to listen to her gut and make those moves to get ahead.
This is exactly why Esler finds herself on the national tour of 鈥淏eetlejuice.鈥�
The ghost with the most: Tony-nominated 'Beetlejuice' to bring seven shows to Popejoy Hall
鈥淚t鈥檚 been really fun,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been doing the show for more than a year now. It鈥檚 been interesting to figure out how to live out of a suitcase and learning the most efficient way to live on the road.鈥�
The Tony-nominated musical will make Popejoy Hall its home beginning Tuesday, May 7, through Sunday, May 12, for its seven-performance run.
The musical is based on Tim Burton鈥檚 1988 film of the same name.
The story concerns a deceased couple who try to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home and call for help from a devious bio-exorcist ghost named Betelgeuse, who is summoned by saying his name three times.
One of the new inhabitants is a young girl, Lydia Deetz, played by Esler, who is dealing with her mother鈥檚 death and her neglectful father.
Esler says in 2019, she was intrigued by the Broadway musical and was familiar with the film because her parents loved the movie.
鈥淚 loved the soundtrack,鈥� she says. 鈥淟ydia was a role that I would love to play. At the time, I was around 15 and that is the age of Lydia in the show. It was almost the perfect time to learn about the show.鈥�
鈥淏eetlejuice鈥� opened at Broadway鈥檚 Winter Garden Theatre on April 25, 2019.
It was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best New Musical.
The musical had a history-making run on Broadway 鈥� following the release of the musical鈥檚 original Broadway cast recording and Tony Awards appearance, the box office exploded, making it the surprise hit of the 2018-19 season.
The musical played 366 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway before being shuttered with the rest of Broadway on March 12, 2020. It returned triumphantly to Broadway with performances on April 8, 2022, at the Marquis Theatre where it continued to haunt Broadway through January 8, 2023.
When Broadway shows began again, Esler saw 鈥淏eetlejuice鈥� on stage.
Then there was an open call.
鈥淚 was a senior in high school and I sent in a self tape for fun,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 got an online call back for it. I got the part and began my journey with the tour. I鈥檓 really relieved that it worked out for me. I get to see the country in a different way. I鈥檝e done more traveling in more than a year than I did in my entire life.鈥�
Esler has also learned so much about Lydia.
鈥淟ydia is so much a teenager and I love how she is a little bit snarky, moody and clever,鈥� she says. 鈥淪he鈥檚 always outsmarting everyone. She鈥檚 curious in a way. I love that about her. She鈥檚 trying to get connected with someone she loves. I really appreciate that with her. I try to see myself within her.鈥�
Life on the road does take its toll 鈥� even on someone who is 20.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to keep up with my energy sometimes,鈥� Esler admits. 鈥淚 have to keep my voice in shape and it鈥檚 tough because we are in different climates each week. The time zones are difficult because we all have to adjust. I鈥檝e learned to listen to my body and rest when I need rest. Lydia is a pretty emotional role and I try to find balance.鈥�
Esler has also put her own touch on Lydia.
鈥淧eople know the movie and the Broadway musical and that鈥檚 really special,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 tried not to be intimidated by the performers before me. My goal for each performance is to be as authentic as I can be.鈥�
鈥淏eetlejuice鈥� is directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers with an original score by Tony Award nominee Eddie Perfect; a book by Tony Award nominee Scott Brown and Tony and Emmy Award nominee Anthony King; music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul; and choreography by Connor Gallagher.
The production features scenic design by three-time Tony Award nominee David Korins; costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long; lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner; sound design by Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski; projection design by Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini; puppet design by Drama Desk Award winner Michael Curry; special effects design by Jeremy Chernick, hair and wig design by Drama Desk Award nominee Charles G. LaPointe; make-up design by Joe Dulude II; associate director is Catie Davis; and associate choreographer is Michael Fatica.
