Jesse Sharp has mastered the artwork of bringing larger-than-life characters to the stage. From his standout performances as Gomez in The Addams Household to his present function as Charles in Beetlejuice, Sharp’s potential to mix humor and coronary heart has made him a favourite amongst theatergoers. As Beetlejuice makes its extremely anticipated cease on the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from March 11 to March 16, 2025, Sharp sat down with rolling out to debate his journey, his function as Charles, and why this manufacturing continues to captivate audiences nationwide.
You’ve taken on iconic roles like Gomez in The Addams Household and now Charles in Beetlejuice. What attracts you to those larger-than-life characters?
That’s a query I get so much. The straightforward reply is that somebody desires to rent me to behave. If somebody has a job for me to be humorous on stage, I’m all in. However as my profession has progressed, I’ve observed a sample — I have a tendency to finish up in these larger-than-life, usually spooky reveals. I’ve at all times liked this kind of materials and these sorts of characters. Even once I was a child doing neighborhood and highschool theater, I used to be at all times enjoying the over-the-top roles. I used to be a little bit of a category clown in highschool, so it tracks. As I’ve gotten older, my look has develop into extra severe — I can cross for a businessman on stage or display screen — however at coronary heart, I’m actually only a huge goofball. It suits. To be trustworthy, I’ve been extremely fortunate, particularly over the previous decade, to land these huge alternatives in main musicals. It’s been an actual deal with and a little bit of a shock.
What has been your favourite a part of entering into the function of Charles? Have you ever added any private touches to make him your individual?
Completely. Within the unique Beetlejuice movie, Charles is simply this man apprehensive about transforming the home and birdwatching — he’s a bit aloof. However within the musical, his character is fleshed out extra. He’s actually coping with the grief of shedding his spouse, and Lydia can also be processing that loss. Attending to carry out in a musical comedy whereas additionally exploring actual human feelings and grief is a present. After I noticed the present on Broadway in 2019, I used to be amazed at how they developed Charles in a means that added depth past the movie. I believed, “That’s a task I’d like to tackle.” When the nationwide tour was introduced, I auditioned, and right here we’re nearly three years later.
Beetlejuice is thought for its excessive power, humor, and coronary heart. What has been probably the most rewarding or surprising problem of bringing this manufacturing to life night time after night time?
With out giving an excessive amount of away, Charles experiences actual progress in Act 2. There’s a pivotal second the place he lastly opens up and confronts the lack of his spouse. It’s a significant shift. Everybody involves Beetlejuice anticipating an enormous, wacky musical comedy—and so they completely get that. What they don’t count on is a heartfelt second of reconnection between a father and daughter. The largest shock for me is that even after 800 performances, that emotional second nonetheless feels contemporary each night time. It by no means will get outdated, by no means feels phony. You possibly can hear a pin drop within the theater as a result of the viewers is so invested. That potential to change from comedy to real emotion is what makes the present particular.
As Beetlejuice makes its ultimate cease in Chicago on the Cadillac Palace Theatre, what can audiences count on?
They’ll count on a very good time! Even when you’ve seen the present earlier than, we’ve some unimaginable new forged members bringing contemporary power. If it’s your first time, I promise you’ll have an unforgettable expertise. It’s the proper present to show off your cellphone, escape actuality, and simply get pleasure from your self.
Beetlejuice will probably be making its ultimate cease on the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from March 11 to March 16, 2025.
