Halloween may be behind us, but we are not quite finished with the spooky season at The Spotlight Playhouse! We are super excited to wrap up our Halloween season at Spotlight Acting School, even if it has spilled over into November. Before we turn our attention to our Christmas programming, we have one more production to share with Berea.
Beetlejuice JR. takes the stage November 13 through 22, 2026, at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea, KY 40403. Presented by Spotlight Acting School, this musical features our teenage performers, ages 14 to 18, bringing the strange world of Beetlejuice to life.
We have two casts performing on separate weekends, giving families two chances to catch the show. Whether you are a fan of the original film or just enjoy a good ghostly comedy, I hope you will make plans to join us.
Two Casts, Two Weekends of Spooky Fun
As with many of our Spotlight Acting School productions, we are presenting Beetlejuice JR. with a Blue Cast and a Purple Cast. Each cast has its own performance weekend, so be sure to check the dates when purchasing tickets.
Blue Cast performs the first weekend:
Friday, November 13, at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 15, at 2:00 p.m.
Purple Cast performs the second weekend:
Friday, November 20, at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21, at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m.
Both casts will perform at The Spotlight Playhouse.
The show runs approximately 60 minutes and is rated for ages 8 and older. That makes it an option for families with kids 8 and up who enjoy a little spooky fun mixed with comedy.
A Ghost Story with Plenty of Laughs
If you know Beetlejuice from the film, you already have an idea of the kind of strange humor this show brings to the stage.
Our story follows Lydia Deetz, a smart, quirky teenager who feels like nobody really understands her. When her family moves into a new house, she discovers that it is already occupied by a recently deceased couple who would very much like the living to leave.
Then there is Beetlejuice.
He is a mischievous ghost with a plan to stir up chaos and bring the afterlife into the world of the living. And, as you might imagine, things are not going to remain quiet for very long.
Beetlejuice JR. is a fast, funny musical filled with larger-than-life characters and plenty of opportunities for laughs.
The musical features a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, with music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect. It is based on the film and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Not every ghost story has to be frightening. Sometimes you just want a little chaos, some strange characters, and a good laugh.
Making Theater Accessible to More Families
One thing I want to remind everyone about is our Friday Pay What You Can performances.
Both Friday performances of Beetlejuice JR., November 13 and November 20, are part of this program.
Here is how it works. Any unsold tickets are released two hours before the performance. Since our Friday shows begin at 6:00 p.m., that means the Pay What You Can tickets become available at 4:00 p.m., subject to availability.
You can name your own ticket price for those remaining seats.
This is a way for families to enjoy live theater without having to worry as much about the price of admission. However, these tickets depend on what remains unsold, so they are not guaranteed.
For anyone who needs accessible seating, we also have wheelchair-accessible spaces with companion seating in the front row. Please let our staff know if you need assistance when you arrive.
Want to Stay for a Second Show?
There is another opportunity for theater lovers during the same weekends. The Bluegrass Players will present Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard at The Spotlight Playhouse, November 13 through 21. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., with an additional Sunday performance on November 15 at 4:00 p.m. So, if you want to stay for a second show, you can make an evening of it. Catch Beetlejuice JR. at 6:00 p.m., then enjoy The Cherry Orchard at 8:00 p.m. on Friday or Saturday. The Sunday, November 15, schedule also allows you to see Beetlejuice at 2:00 p.m. and The Cherry Orchard at 4:00 p.m. Both productions share the venue, so you will not even need to change locations.
From Beetlejuice to Willy Wonka
While we are getting ready to finish our Halloween season, we are also looking ahead to the next opportunity for our teenage performers.
Our next production for this age group will be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR., and auditions will take place during the second weekend of Beetlejuice JR.
We will hold auditions on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at The Spotlight Playhouse.
Auditions are open to young performers ages 14 to 18, and all experience levels are welcome.
As always at Spotlight Acting School, everyone who auditions will be cast.
I want to make that point especially clear for families who may be considering theater for the first time. You do not have to arrive with years of experience or worry that there will not be a place for you.
If you are willing to come audition and participate, we want you to have that opportunity.
And the timing makes November 21 a particularly interesting day at Spotlight. Teenagers can audition for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. that afternoon, and families can return at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy the Purple Cast performance of Beetlejuice JR.
Families interested in participating can find more information in our Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. audition announcement.
One Last Halloween Invitation
We have had a lot of fun with our Halloween season at The Spotlight Playhouse, and I am excited that we get to close it with Beetlejuice JR.
Yes, Halloween will be a couple of weeks behind us by the time we finish. But I think we can make room for a few more ghosts and a few more laughs before we turn our attention to Christmas.
Whether you join us for the Blue Cast on November 13-15 or the Purple Cast on November 20-22, I hope you will come out and support these young performers.
There is plenty of entertainment happening right here in Berea, and I would love to see our community filling the seats for these students.
Come see Beetlejuice JR. at The Spotlight Playhouse!
Purchase your Beetlejuice JR. tickets through our official TicketSource box office.
✍️ About the Author
Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School and The Spotlight Playhouse. A resident of Berea, Kentucky, and a former member of the Berea Council, he has spent decades working in community theater, arts education, and local journalism. Since 1995, he has operated BereaOnline.com, focusing on local news, civic issues, and stories that highlight community collaboration and grassroots efforts across Madison County.
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📅 Upcoming Community & Theater Events
- November 13–21, 2026: The Cherry Orchard, presented by The Bluegrass Players at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea. Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m.; Sunday, November 15, at 4 p.m. 🎭
- November 21, 2026: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. auditions for teens ages 14–18, 12:30–2:00 p.m. at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea. Everyone who auditions will be cast. 🎭
- November 28-29, 2026: Old Time Christmas Radio Show — Bluegrass Players at The Spotlight Playhouse (Sat 7:00 PM, Sun 2:00 PM). 🎙️
- December 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 2026: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — Spotlight on Faith at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🎭
- December 17-20, 2026: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Dinner Show — Bluegrass Players at The Spotlight Playhouse (Dec 17-19 6:30 PM, Dec 20 1:30 PM). 🎄
This article originally appeared on BereaOnline.com – your home for Madison County news, community events, and local updates.