For one weekend, Downtown Fresno felt louder, stranger and more alive. The touring production of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” didn’t just pass through; it transformed the space.
“Beetlejuice: The Musical” took over the William Saroyan Theatre on Feb. 13 and 14, and I still can’t get the songs or the one-liners out of my head.
Walking into the Saroyan, there was a noticeable buzz in the lobby.
Everyone seemed curious about what they were about to experience. Some wore black-and-white stripes in honor of the show’s iconic look. Others flipped through Playbills, already scanning for favorite songs. It didn’t feel like a routine night at the theatre, it felt like an event.
From the second Ryan Stajmiger stepped on stage as Beetlejuice, the energy shifted. His delivery was sharp and fearless, leaning fully into the character’s chaotic charm. The fourth-wall breaks were quick and clever, and he had a way of reacting to the audience that made each performance feel slightly unique.
The humor truly worked for all ages. Younger audience members laughed at the exaggerated physical comedy and visual gags, while adults caught the layered wordplay and self-aware commentary. The balance never felt forced; it felt intentional.
At the emotional core of the show was Leianna Weaver as Lydia. She gave the story its grounding. Beneath the bold lighting and punchy jokes, her portrayal of grief and isolation felt sincere. In her solo moments, the theater grew noticeably quieter. Her voice carried both strength and vulnerability, making the audience pause between laughs. That contrast of absurd comedy paired with real emotion is what gave the production staying power.
The live orchestra added a richness that can’t be replicated through theatre. The brass sections exploded through the big ensemble numbers, percussion heightened the chaotic scenes and the softer instrumentals during Lydia’s songs created an almost intimate atmosphere.
You could feel the vibrations under your seat during the louder numbers. It reminded you that this wasn’t just a spectacle; it was live musicians, live voices and real timing happening right in front of you.
Visually, the production delivered just as strongly. The costumes were spot on, from Beetlejuice’s unmistakable striped suit to Lydia’s gothic black ensembles. Every look felt detailed and deliberate.
The props and special effects made the world feel immersive. Lighting shifts changed the mood instantly, illusions blurred the line between stage trick and magic, and the set transformations happened seamlessly. At certain moments, it genuinely felt like you were inside the story rather than just watching it unfold.
Even as a touring production, nothing felt scaled down emotionally. Yes, the set may not have been Broadway-massive, and a few transitions moved quickly, but the energy never dipped. The audience fed off the cast, and the cast clearly fed off the crowd. The laughter was loud. The applause felt earned.
There was a sense of shared experience that made the entire night feel bigger than the building.
Days later, what’s sticking with me isn’t just one scene or one song. It’s the atmosphere. It’s the way the theater felt electric from start to finish. It’s the reminder that live performances, especially ones this bold and self-aware, can shake up an ordinary weekend.
For one weekend, the afterlife showed up in Fresno. And somehow, it made the city feel even more alive.
