Beetlejuice, Jr. to be performed Friday, Sat, Sun (9/12, 9/13, 9/14) --right here, in PJ! You won't want to miss this!

Sharon E. Siegel
Sep 12, 2025
3 min read

By Sharon E. Siegel

Beetlejuice, Jr., is being performed right here in Port Jervis this weekend! Featuring all local, talented youth performers, this show is guaranteed to keep you laughing – and highly entertained!

Based on the motion picture, and soon-to-be-on-Broadway full length musical (beginning October 8, Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway, NYC), Beetlejuice, Jr. is adapted to run about one hour.

All of the cast in Port Jervis’ Beetlejuice, Jr. are local, aged 18-years and under, very talented, and sure to delight attendees with both their theatrical and vocal talents.

For those who may not have seen the movie, the storyline focuses on Lydia Deetz – described in Beetlejuice, Jr. promos as a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” She and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple, and meet the character Beetlejuice, a delightfully energetic demon with an enthusiastic zest for life. Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to help her, and along with him comes a cast of fellow deceased characters, bringing music, fun and complete pandemonium.

Following is the Port Jervis Beetlejuice, Jr. cast, with comments from some of them about the show and their involvement.

Beetlejuice: Jayden Terwilliger (Was in first ever A.C.T. show, Miracle on 34^th Street and has been part of every A.C.T. show since.

Lydia Deetz: Avery Newnam (As the ‘main kid’ she says she is depressed because her mom died, but is more accepting in the end.)

Charles Deetz: Ishmael Gil (Graduated from PJHS earlier this year and begins college at the American Musical Dramatic Academy in NYC next month, October, 2025. His character (dad of Lydia) hires Delia Schlimmer to help his daughter become a happier person. In the end he proposes to Delia, who will become Lydia’s step-mom.)

Adam Maitland: Noah Halpenny (This is his first fully-staged A.C.T. show, but has been in many Port Jervis schools shows and musicals. He described his character, Adam Maitland, as a ‘very basic guy’ and an average married man. His favorite part of the show is the rap part; the most difficult to learn but most fun to perform.)

Barbara Maitland: Shelby Dunning

Delia Schlimmer: Raegan O’Dea (PJHS Junior, says she is ‘besties’ with Ishmael in real life and enjoys the character she plays in helping to cheer up Lydia with songs about optimism and “bringing sunshine to her rain clouds” and as her step-mom. She also proudly added, “My brother (Reed O’Dea – character Maxie Dean) is the best!”

Maxie Dean: Reed O’Dea (Freshman, PJHS, plays several parts and is referenced by Director Lynsey Sullivan as “our funny guy.” He says he has found being part of this show to be a lot of fun and a way to take his acting career further.

Maxine Dean: Charli Tauszky

Sky: Dayra Gil

Otho: Sawyer Newnam

Miss Argentina: Olivia Raines

Juno: Gracie White

Priest: Declan Swires

Dead Footballs: Kal Sniffen, Ben Siemers, Reed O’Dea, Sawyer Newnam, Declan Swires

Dead Cheerleaders: Stephanie Miranda, Naomi Riehl, Charli Tauszky

Girl Scouts: Dayra Gil, Charli Tauszky, Olivia Raines

The show is directed by Lynsey Sullivan, who along with her sisters Elizabeth Sullivan (stage manager), Erin Sullivan (assistant stage manager) and mom Kelly Sullivan, created the local A.C.T. (Actors Community Theatre) Group, Inc. The Sullivans are extremely excited to be following multiple local performances of well-known shows with this first-time musical for them, and especially glad that it is Beetlejuice, Jr.

The local choreographer for this show is Joey Anacarro, who has performed with a professional dance company for 15-years, but also making his own debut as a choreographer.

Creative team:

Director-Lynsey Sullivan

Producer- Kelly Sullivan

Choreography- Joseph Annicaro

Musical Director- Braeden Ross

Assistant musical director- Bradley Riehl

Stage Manager-Elizabeth Sullivan

Assistant stage manager- Erin Sullivan

Head Dance captain- Jayden Terwilliger

Dance captains- Naomi Riehl, Charli TAUSZKY, Avery Newnam

Vocal Warm Up Assistant-Noah Halpenny

Beetleleader Coach- Trisha Halpenny