Broadway’s cult musical sensation Beetlejuice takes the stage in Abu Dhabi on 20–30 November at Etihad Arena
With three Tony Award nominations, a résumé stacked with hit musicals like Groundhog Day and Rocky, and appearances on Law & Order: SVU, Andy Karl is no stranger to the spotlight.
But this November, the acclaimed American actor is heading somewhere he’s never performed before: Abu Dhabi.
From 20-30 November, Karl steps into the wild, ghoulish shoes of the mischievous ghost-with-the-most in Beetlejuice The Musical, which makes its UAE debut at the Etihad Arena ; and he couldn’t be more thrilled.
“I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi or Dubai before, and I’m so excited to see the culture over there,” he says. “We’re not there for long, but I’m going to try and soak up as much as I can. Please, if anyone has suggestions, DM me!”
Karl’s journey to the stage started early in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.
“My mother used to play the organ at church, so I was always around music. We had a piano at home and albums like Jesus Christ Superstar playing. I just connected with musical theatre,” he recalls.
But it wasn’t until high school, auditioning for the obscure musical Li’l Abner, that something clicked. “I played the villain, got my first laugh from the audience, and I never looked back.”
Now, with more than 14 Broadway shows under his belt, Karl finds himself at the heart of Beetlejuice, a production that brings Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 film to life with a thrilling twist.
“The musical has all your favourite characters from the movie, Beetlejuice, Lydia, the Deetz family, even the shrunken head guy,” Karl laughs.
“But we’ve also added so much. There’s a deeper connection between characters. The heart of the show is about being seen, and that emotional depth is done through really fast, really funny music.”
The musical’s score, written by Eddie Perfect, mixes musical pastiche and high-energy numbers with theatrical flair.
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“It’s fast, it’s funny, and it will have you on the edge of your seat from the minute it starts.”
And, yes, the show stays true to Burton’s iconic aesthetic.
“We even have wallpaper on set that was hand-drawn by Tim Burton himself. Our director, Alex Timbers, was committed to preserving that Burton feel, weird, wonderful, and totally unique.”
But Karl makes one thing clear: this isn’t a sit-quietly-and-clap-at-the-end kind of show.
“The audience is part of the show, especially with Beetlejuice. We feed off your reactions. So make noise, be loud, clap, laugh, we love it.”
While this will be Karl’s first time performing in the Middle East, he’s confident that the Abu Dhabi audience will match the energy of Broadway or London’s West End.
“Wherever I go, London, Australia, across the U.S., people tell me audiences are different. But honestly, if we’re having fun on stage, they always have fun with us.”
As musical theatre takes centre stage in the UAE with productions like Hamilton and The Phantom of the Opera previously gracing the region, Karl sees it as a meaningful cultural exchange.
“Musical theatre is probably America’s biggest cultural export,” he says. “Beetlejuice started on Broadway. Now, to bring that experience to Abu Dhabi is incredible, and I feel proud to share that.”
With the full force of Broadway production values and Karl’s dynamic stage presence, Beetlejuice in Abu Dhabi promises to be a darkly hilarious, visually dazzling, and heartwarming spectacle.
And with audiences encouraged to laugh, cheer, and be part of the ride, this is one show that’s sure to make a lasting impression.
20–30 November 2025, Beetlejuice The Musical, Etiahd Arena. For further information, visit etihadarena.ae
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