Scott Brown and Anthony King are the Tony-nominated writers behind Beetlejuice the Musical. Together they adapted Tim Burton’s cult classic into a Broadway hit that blends grief, special effects, and lots of laughs. I am an unabashedly huge fan of Beetlejuice the Musical, which first opened on Broadway in April 2019, closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, returned for a second run in April 2022, and wrapped again in January 2023. Now the show is set for its third Broadway engagement at the Palace Theatre, running October 8, 2025 through January 3, 2026, and I cannot wait because I have really missed this show.

In this conversation, Scott and Anthony share how they built the show’s unique tone, why fourth-wall breaking was the key to unlocking Beetlejuice onstage, and how endless iteration in workshops and previews sharpened the comedy and emotional beats. They also discuss the responsibility of protecting and adapting iconic properties.

Here are Scott Brown and Anthony King.

Show Notes

Stage & Film Projects Mentioned

Beetlejuice the Musical

Beetlejuice Jr.

Gutenberg the Musical

Beetlejuice

Lost Boys (musical in development)

Death Becomes Her (musical adaptation referenced)

Hamilton (filmed stage production mentioned as preservation model)

Stranger Things stage production

Movies & Shows Referenced

Deadpool (comparison for Beetlejuice’s tone)

Rick and Morty

South Park

People Mentioned

Tim Burton (original film director)

Michael McDowell (original Beetlejuice screenwriter)

Eddie Perfect (songwriter, performing Beetlejuice in Australia)

Alex Brightman (actor, Beetlejuice on Broadway)

Follow Scott Brown at:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9scott9
• Website: https://www.scottbrownwritesthings.com/
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4447552/

Follow Anthony King at:

• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1511524/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyking/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theanthonyking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-king-4738a594/