After 30 years and 50 productions as W.F. West High School’s theater director, Brian Adams will fold up his director’s chair after the school’s winter musical, “Beetlejuice,” closes later this month.
“I still have it in me, but I think it’s time for some new blood,” Adams said.
Before Adams had decided on his theater retirement date, he put W.F. West’s name on the list to get access to “Beetlejuice,” a new Broadway musical based on the 1988 Tim Burton film, once it became available for high school use.
“I know the movie gets a little weird, but the musical is quite different,” Adams said, adding that the colorful costumes and catchy soundtrack appealed to him as a director.
When Adams got the notice that W.F. West could perform “Beetlejuice” this year, he said the timing lined up nicely with his planned retirement from the theater program.
“It was a good one to go out on,” he said.
“Beetlejuice” follows a deceased couple who, trying to haunt the new inhabitants of their old home, call for help from a devious bio-exorcist ghost Betelgeuse (pronounced “Beetlejuice.”) One of the new inhabitants is a young girl, Lydia, who is dealing with her mother's death, her neglectful father and the introduction of her new stepmother.
“These are things that happen in real life, which I really enjoy that it’s being told in a show,” said W.F. West senior Ruby Stanton, who plays Lydia.
Junior Charlotte Calway, who plays Lydia’s stepmom, related her character to her own stepdad. “He’s done it a lot better than my character has done it, but I really honor that and now I’m seeing it in a whole different light.”
Senior Justin Hazlett was age 11 or 12 when the musical became popular, and he’s wanted to play the titular Betelgeuse ever since.
“I just really clicked with the character,” Hazlett said, calling him “wacky, zany,” and “very loud.”
He landed his dream role in W.F. West’s production, and has enjoyed finding his own interpretation of the character.
“It really just let me find myself,” Hazlett said.
Adams will stay on as a coach and counselor after "Beetlejuice" closes, so he will still be a familiar face at W.F. West.
“I’m not like leaving and saying ‘goodbye, don’t even bother me.’ I want to be a part of it, like a consultant. I will be a consultant for anybody,” Adams said.
He encourages anyone interested in continuing the theater program to apply once the job posting goes up early next year.
“We’ve built a strong program in here over 30 years, and I don’t want it to die,” he said.
“Beetlejuice” runs Dec. 12, 13, 19, and 20 with performances at 7:30 p.m., and an additional 2 p.m. show on Dec. 20.
There is a photosensitivity warning for flashing, strobe and laser lights throughout the show.
Tickets are $9 per person and can now be purchased at the W.F. West ASB Office by calling 360- 807-7235. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, if available.
Performances take place at the W.F. West High School Theatre, 342 SW 16th Street, Chehalis. The entrance is near the Coach Jack State Memorial Tennis Courts.
Cast list
Lydia Deetz: Ruby Stanton
Beetlejuice: Justin Hazlett
Charles Deetz: Jonah Layton
Barbara Maitland: Asha Tummeti
Adam Maitland: Landon Schow
Delia Schlimmer: Charlotte Calway
Miss Argentina: Savannah Bryant
Otho/Priest: Aaron Woods
Sky/Mourner/Cheerleader/Bride: Hope Shields
Juno/Mourner/Cheerleader/Beetlejuice Clone: Hailey Sturdevant Maxie
Dean/Mourner/Parachuter: Delilah Druck-Ewan Maxine
Dean/Mourner/Mobster: Ainsley Smith
Mourner/Cheerleader/Beetlejuice Clone/Toaster Shock: Savannah Schow
Mourner/Cheerleader/Beetlejuice Clone/Jockey: Darling Odden
Mourner/Cheerleader/Beetlejuice Clone/Cheer Zombie: Madisyn Lian
Mourner/Cheerleader/Lawyer: Maribella Flores
Mourner/Cheerleader/Lawyer: Alyssa Schow
Movers: Chris Billings and Jeffrey Billings
Crew list
Head Stage Crew: Lotus Craig and Shaylee Miles
Stage Crew: Chris Billings, Jeffrey Billings, Ethan Clark, Amelia Craig, Hayden Lambert, Karina Lei, Jax Myers, Molly Oatfield, Tucker Olson, Julian Palacios-Rivera, Brooklyn Passage, Erin Sandberg, Tristan Skol, Finnius Spears-Johnson and Seigren Wall
