The Salem Community High School performance of Beetlejuice Junior opens Thursday night at the Salem Community Theatre.
Director Drew Johnson says this is the first year licenses have been issued for performances of Beetle Juice Junior.
“I think this will be the best show we have ever done. I don’t think there is a single minute that doesn’t have something for everyone to see, and we do some stuff in this show that people will want to come back a second time just to try and figure out how we did it.”
Johnson says the show is PG-13 but is appropriate for most children. The cast and crew total about 35 students. The cast was selected in December, and students have been working on the show and set since school resumed in January.
Cole Wimberly plays Bettlejuice.
“Beetlejuice is that kind of guy that does whatever he wants, when he wants, how he wants to do it, and to who he wants to do it to. If he wants to run up and hug you, make fun of you, or even be relatable with you. He’s just that guy on all levels.”
Wimberly was introduced to theatre by a friend while a sophomore and has been in all the shows since and now plans to pursue a career in theatre in college.
Casper Waggoner completes her high school drama career playing Juno and serving as Stage Manager.
“She is the person who is in charge of the entire nether world. She doesn’t show up for a bit, but she is very bossy, in charge of everything, and always yelling.”
Kylie Vieira is the director’s assistant and is one of the cast members who are part of the 30-member ensemble.
“I don’t know how many songs we had to learn, but there is a lot. We start with that, we learn the dancing later on down the line. Then, you have to practice dancing and singing at the same time, which is very hard.”
Beetlejuice will be performed this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at seven, with a Sunday matinee at three. Additional shows will be held next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at seven pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets are available online at SalemILTheater.org or at the Salem Community High School front office.
The cast, crew, and directors include:
Andrew Johnson – Director
Dusk Donoho – Assistant Director
Andrew Steininger – Musical Director
Stella Johnson – Costume Director
Katlyn Barbie – Art Director
Payne Barbie – Construction Director
Jasmyne Askew – Ensemble/Art
Cole Wimberly – Beetlejuice/ Construction Manager
Jaci Gammon – Ensemble/ Musical Director’s Assistant
Casper Waggoner – Juno/ Stage Manager
Olivia Howe – Barbara Maitland
Kylie Vieira – Ensemble/ Director’s Assistant
Lily Janic – Art/ House
Star Weber – Ensemble
Peng – Maxie Dean/ Construction
Gabby Pinneda – Ensemble/ Costume Manager
Avery Jones – Lydia Deetz
Laci Harrell – Sandworm/ Art Manager
KJ Engel – Otho/ Tech Manager
Zoey Eastin – Miss Argentina
Ameerah Adenekan – Ensemble/ Art
Atiana Pitty – Makeup/ House
Elara Brubaker – Ensemble/ Art
Sarah Morris – Delia/ House Manager
Ash Collier – Lights
Gavin Buchanan – Adam Maitland/ Construction
Emma Turner – Ensemble/ Props Manager
Rylan Lawson – Charles Deetz/ Construction
Aubree Hoagland – Sky/ Student Choreographer
Aurielle Winkler – Ensemble/ Art
Kinley Montgomery – Ensemble/ Makeup
Eden Russell – Ensemble/ Costume
Ria Niepoetter – Shrunken Head/ Art
Andrew Trout – Ensemble/ Construction
Jordyn Carter – Ensemble/ Student Choreographer
Halle Nix – Maxie Dean/ Makeup Manager
Colton Pitty – Sound/ Construction
