The Raymond F. Kravis Center is proud to present the North American Tour of Beetlejuice, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, from Tuesday, June 2nd through Sunday, June 7th.
Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, Beetlejuice is “Screamingly Good Fun!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love and making the most of every Day-O!
Beetlejuice features original direction by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!) with an score by Tony Award nominee Eddie Perfect (King Kong); a book by Tony Award nominee Scott Brown (“Castle Rock”) and Tony and Emmy Award nominee Anthony King (“Broad City”); music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul (Joan of Arc: Into the Fire); and original choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom). The tour is directed by Catie Davis and choreographed by Michael Fatica based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.
Beetlejuice is based on the 1988 Academy Award-winning Geffen Company motion picture presented by Warner Bros. and directed by Tim Burton. The smash hit comedy starred Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder with story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson.
It was a pleasure to sit down with David Wilson who plays Adam for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
Were you always a performer even as a child or how did it happen?
Yeah, I have always been a performer as before I was an actor, I was a violinist.
What was your first professional gig?
I was in high school and there was this local theater in Detroit, and they did reworks of Shakespeare or other playwrights. The artistic director was one of my artistic directors in high school, so I did a production of “Taming of the Shrew”. It was 2 room office building that we turned into a two room theater.
When did you know performing would be your career?
I always knew I would be performing in some capacity. At 15 I made performing my life outside of school as I was cast as a tree in a production of “Into the Woods,” and I was much more willing to do that than play the violin or do anything else.
Beetlejuice is an iconic movie, is there any pressure being in the show?
Definitely, because people have an expectation of the movie with 4 decades of fandom, and additionally now that the musical has gained its own cult. They come in costume, etc. so you want to make sure you are doing the show justice.
Other than this one, what has been your favorite role so far?
I mean this is my first big production and tour, but my favorite role was playing Jack in “Into the Woods.”
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but want to)?
Fabrizio in “The Light in the Piazza” as it has one of the most beautiful scores in contemporary music theater and I must play that role very soon.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Emotional, warm, and clumsy.
What do you do for fun?
I am a big gamer…I love games from N64, and the classic PlayStation. I also like playing Soccer, working out and I also love going on a walk by myself.
What should our readers expect from this touring company of “Beetlejuice”?
You are going to get a lot of laughs. In addition, this outrageous world that Tim Burton conceived combined with this company you are going to get a lot of heart. There is also a beautiful theme of family and celebrating life and building relationships with people around you.
Fr more information on David, you can follow him at: Instagram.com/davidwilson1399
For tickets to Beetlejuice at the Kravis Center, go to Kravis.org or you can go to the Kravis Center Box Office, which opens at 12 p.m. or by calling 561.832.7469.
