The Huntsville Theatre Company (HTC) is preparing to bring a beloved cult classic to the local stage.
This year’s musical production, Beetlejuice Jr., will take place June 18 to 20 at Algonquin Theatre, with three evening shows and one matinee.
According to directors Emily Kuehn and Laura Lynn Martin, the musical will showcase 26 local youth performers who have spent the past six months rehearsing and learning theatrical performance through HTC’s Theatre is my Passion program.
The after-school program is designed for children and youth aged 8 to 18, providing participants with hands-on experience in all aspects of stage production.
Director Kuehn said one of the most rewarding aspects of the production has been watching the cast grow throughout the rehearsal process.
“Their ability to start something and see that it’s rough but know that it’s going to end up looking really good,” Kuehn said. “The choreography is somewhere you can really see the difference, not just in their attitude, but with how clean it is. They’re getting faster and more energetic.”
For the young performers bringing Beetlejuice Jr. to life, the production is more than a comedy with supernatural twists. Cast members describe the story as one filled with suspense, thrills, betrayal, love, friendship, and family, offering something for audiences of all ages.
Through all their hard work and challenges, cast members say they have grown both on and off the stage since joining the production. They highlighted improvements in their confidence and ability to make new friends, while also developing skills that they can transfer to their own lives, including public speaking and school presentations.
When asked what their favourite part of the process has been, the group collectively answered, “literally everything,” highlighting the singing, dancing, running lines, and the overall theatre atmosphere.
“These passionate kids have grown so much,” the directors said in a joint statement. “They’ve not only put in hours of work, but they’ve created friends, memories, and a hilarious show. The past six months they’ve learned about collaborating as a team, dancing as a troupe, singing loud, and acting with pride.”
As opening night approaches, the cast hopes audiences will enjoy the production and encourage community members to come out and support the show.
Tickets are available here.
