Alex Brightman and Sophia Anne Caruso to Star in Beetlejuice Musical World Premiere

The pre-Broadway engagement will begin October 14 at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre.

The stage adaptation of Beetlejuice has found its ghost with the most. Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman will take on the title bio-exorcist in the upcoming musical, set to kick off performances October 14 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. Joining him will be Sophia Anne Caruso as Lydia Deetz.

Opening night for is set for November 4. The limited engagement will run through November 18; a Broadway transfer is expected to follow.

Brightman last appeared on Broadway in School of Rock, earning a Tony nomination for his performance as Dewey. His additional credits include Matilda, Wicked, and Big Fish. Caruso received Lucille Lortel Award nominations for her performances in Off-Broadway's The Nether and Lazarus. Her additional New York stage credits include Blackbird and the Encores! Off-Center production of Runaways.

As previously reported, the musical will feature a score by Austalian musician-comedian Eddie Perfect (who is also at work this season on the incoming King Kong musical) and a book by Anthony King and Scott Brown. Alex Timbers (the Moulin Rouge! musical) will direct; Connor Gallagher will choreograph.

Read: BEETLEJUICE MUSICAL TO PREMIERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BEFORE BROADWAY BOW

While inspired by Tim Burton's 1988 dark comedy, the show will focus more on Lydia Deetz, the bleak teenager (played on screen by Winona Ryder) with a fascination for death—and the only one in her family who can interact with the ghosts of their new home's. In an attempt to scare off her parents, Lydia calls on Beetlejuice (in the film, Michael Keaton)—an eccentric, crude demon with a plan that involves arranged marriages, a girl scout, and song and dance.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

