‘Beetlejuice’ musical is inspiration for two actresses playing Lydia Deetz
Don’t be alarmed if you spy a green-haired ghoul or a perennially perky Girl Scout roaming the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grounds.
“Beetlejuice,” the musical based on Tim Burton’s 1988 film, is running through Sunday as part of Broadway at the Hobby Center. It stars Jackera Davis, a Richmond-Rosenberg native, as the Girl Scout who crosses paths with the show’s title character. And she’s determined to get at least some of the cast into boots and over to NRG Stadium.
Davis spent many a spring break at the rodeo. In fact, she flew to Houston from a tour stop in Dallas last week to see Carly Pearce perform.
“It’ll be so fun, and there’s so much fun food and rides and games. I’m definitely trying to encourage everyone to go to the rodeo,” Davis says. “I love elote, the Mexican street corn. It’s my favorite thing in the world. Obsessed.”
Davis earned a BFA in musical theater from Sam Houston State University and, just as important for her “Beetlejuice” role, was a Girl Scout for more than a dozen years. (Her favorite cookies are frozen Thin Mints.) Her troop will be in attendance during the local run.
“I feel like she has a lot of traits that I have in my own personality, just being super optimistic and silly and fun. I was a Girl Scout for so long in my own life, I feel like I’m taking from that experience. My mom was my troop leader, and I have two older sisters who were in Girl Scouts,” Davis says.
Davis also understudies the role of Lydia Deetz, the goth teen portrayed in the film by Winona Ryder who summons Beetlejuice into the land of the living. The role is normally played by Isabella Esler, though Davis was able to step into Lydia’s boots a year ago. Davis wasn’t familiar with the movie but saw the Broadway musical in 2019, with no clue it would come back around to her.
Esler knew “Beetlejuice” well thanks to her dad, who was a big Burton fan. She became familiar with the musical when it blew up on TikTok during the COVID-19 outbreak. Fans would wear fullon makeup and costumes, singing or lip-synching to the songs.
“I’ve kind of taken what I’ve liked, and understood the different sides of Lydia, and tried to incorporate what I like about myself into that role. I feel like me and Lydia aren’t that different, so I do find myself using my own mannerisms and what I do,” Esler says. “It definitely took time to figure out what worked for me and living up to what people know of the movie and the musical.”
The role of Lydia has added meaning for both Esler, who is Colombian American, and Davis, who is Black, every time they step onstage.
“I’ve had people tell me, and I’m sure have told Jackera, how inspiring it is to see a woman of color play Lydia, or even just the story of Lydia dealing with grief, it’s important to them,” Esler says. “Us being a part of that feels important to me. It pushes you to do a good job.”
Davis went on as Lydia for the first time in 2023 and commemorated it on Instagram with the caption, “Black History was made. Feeling so overwhelmed in the best way possible.”
“It was really special to be able to do that and be some sort of representation for little Black girls who can see themselves in a show that they wouldn’t typically see themselves in,” Davis says.
Here are the major films being released in theaters or on streaming this week.
‘Accidental Texan’
In this dramedy, a struggling actor from California lands in small-town Texas after getting fired in New Orleans from what seemed to be his big break. In Texas, he ends up finding more than a paycheck. Thomas Haden Church, Carrie-Anne Moss and Bruce Dern star.
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston.
‘American Dreamer’
Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Danny Glover and Matt Dillon star in this comedy about a man whose dreams might be about to come true.
Unrated. Playing at Studio Movie Grill Pearland.
‘Cabrini’
Historical drama focusing on Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini, an advocate for orphaned children in the late 19th century. Cristiana Dell’Anna, David Morse and John Lithgow star.
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston.
‘Damsel’
Filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (“28 Weeks Later”) directs this action-thriller in which a damsel, set to marry a handsome prince, finds out that he only wants her in the family so that they can sacrifice her to pay off an ancient debt. And she’s not having it. Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone and Angela Bassett star.
Rated PG-13. Streaming on Netflix.
‘Frida’
This documentary, which takes a look at the life of artist Frida Khalo, won in the documentary category at Sundance.
Rated R. Begins streaming Thursday on Prime.
‘Gaami’
Telugu-language drama from
India about a person from the Aghori sect on the hunt for a cure for a rare disease.
Unrated. Playing at Cinemark Tinseltown 290, Houston; Cinemark Memorial City, Houston; Cinemark Katy, Katy.
‘Imaginary’
Horror film in which a woman returns to her childhood home to find her old imaginary friend there and not too happy about the fact that she abandoned him.
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston.
‘Kung Fu Panda 4’
The latest installment in the animated “Kung Fu Panda” franchise. Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman and Bryan Cranston are among the voice cast.
Rated PG. Playing throughout Houston.
‘The Lion Heart’
Documentary about the late
auto racer Don Wheldon and the two sons who are keeping his name alive on the track.
Unrated. Airs 8 p.m. Tuesday on HBO; begins streaming Tuesday on Max.
‘Little Wing’
A young girl becomes deeply involved in the world of pigeon racing. Brian Cox and Brooklynn Prince star. Rated PG-13. Begins streaming
Wednesday on Patamount+.
‘M3GAN’
Blumhouse Productions president Abhijay Prakash will be on hand for this Q&A screening of one of the big horror-thrillers of the last couple of years.
Rated PG-13. 6 p.m. today at Rice Cinema, Houston.
Oscar Party
Why watch the Oscars at home when you can do it with a group of your new best friends? Drinks and popcorn will be available and there will be giveaways.
Unrated. 6 p.m. Sunday at 14 Pews, Houston.
‘Problemista’
Julio Torres, an “SNL” writer and one of the creators of the cult series “Los Espookys,” directs, writes and stars in this comedy in which a toy designer from El Salvador, with hopes of staying in the U.S., takes a job with an eccentric artist. Tilda Swinton and RZA co-star.
Rated R. Playing at Regal Greenway Grand Palace, Houston; Alamo Drafthuse LaCenterra, Katy.
‘Shaitaan’
Hindi-language horror-thriller from India.
Unrated. Playing throughout Houston.
‘Who’s Behind Black Art? Part 1’
This documentary, which goes into the world of five Black artists, is being screened in conjunction with the Kehinde Wiley exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The second part screens March 21.
Unrated. Screens 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
‘Yolo’
Mandarin-language drama from China about a female boxer.
Unrated. Playing at Regal Greenway Grand Palace 24, Houston; AMC First Colony 24, Sugar Land; AMC Loews Fountains 18, Stafford.