Photography: Benny Capp
Eddie Perfect wrote the music and lyrics for the Beetlejuice musical, and now he’s the star of the Australian production. After a three-year musical theatre degree, he’s still straight!
DNA: Beetlejuice is a global hit. Having created the words and music, how do you feel about this?
Eddie Perfect: I feel great! It’s gratifying to see people enjoying it.
And now at home in Australia.
I created Beetlejuice in collaboration with some of the best people on Broadway, and it was one of the most thrilling processes of my professional life. But it all happened overseas. Because of the fickle nature of show business, and musical theatre in particular, shows more often fail than succeed. I didn’t know Beetlejuice would have a life beyond its initial New York season, so for it to become a Broadway success, travel the world, and come to my hometown of Melbourne is mind-blowing. And I get to play the lead role! It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s also quite a gift.
Do you have a favourite moment?
The show is so densely packed with business that I can’t hold the whole story in my head at once. When I walk out on stage, I think about what I’m going to do first and from there on muscle memory kicks in. It feels like I’m riding a wild horse. It’s always surprising, and I love riding the giant sand worm at the end! It’s the last thing I get to do as Beetlejuice, and it’s great because I’m sitting down after running around so much. It bucks me into the air while I hold onto a tiny handle. It’s terrifying, but also super fun!
The Mary Poppins finale, when she flies with her umbrella, pales in comparison.
[In the Beetlejuice voice] Yeah, fuck Mary Poppins!
Oh, looks like Beetlejuice has emerged!
[Laughs] Beetlejuice basically is Mary Poppins. He turns up in someone else’s house, terrorises them, they all learn the lessons they need to, and then he flies away.
What is it about Beetlejuice that resonates with audiences?
On a show business craft level, it’s extraordinary. It combines costumes, incredible lighting, video-mapping designs, puppetry, special effects and an amazing revolving set. It creates a believable world where magic and ghosts can exist, and people can travel from this world into the Netherworld. It uses every trick in the book, integrated into a very funny story.
What about thematically?
There aren’t many people who haven’t been affected by grief in some way, and that’s the emotional heart of the story. How do we carry on living when someone who means the world to us passes away? This musical is an acknowledgment that you cannot ignore grief. Beetlejuice tells us that we need to go through discomfort to get to the good stuff. That’s the message people respond to.
Is there a little bit of gay in him?
Yeah, he’s got a bit of everything. Some have suggested Beetlejuice may be pansexual because he doesn’t discriminate with who he harasses, but he’s label-less and boundaryless. I imagine he exists at a point where most humans want to be – a bundle of pure love. He wants to be seen, accepted and acknowledged. He has no human biases or prejudices and just spreads the love around.
You probably have many gay mates, and have stories to tell?
I’m as surprised as anyone that after a three-year musical theatre degree, I’m still straight! It’s a depressing reality, but it’s who I am. In my twenties, I spent a lot of time on Commercial Road, Melbourne, with my many gay friends and colleagues. I did a few gigs at gay bars like The Market, and I’d also go to The Peel in Collingwood. Then there’s been great fun at the Sydney Mardi Gras. My favourite night out in Sydney was in Taylor Square in a basement bar called Manacle. It had a chainmail spider’s web on the dancefloor!
It did! And a trough full of peanuts and no doors on the toilets! What song will always get you on the dancefloor?
It’s a track called Do It Right by Martin Solveig with vocals by Tkay Maidza. It’s my favourite for the dancefloor, as well as Boys by Lizzo.
Who’s your music diva?
Beyonce! I grew up loving blues, jazz, gospel and hip-hop. I love black American music from the 1950s onwards. I love Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Prince, Little Richard and Mahalia Jackson. I feel that Beyonce is the modern inheritor of that. She’s so wonderfully inventive. I also have teenage daughters and listen to a lot of contemporary music. At the moment, Doja Cat, Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter are getting a big run!
When we spoke in 2008, you weren’t sure what Shane Warne would think of your production, Shane Warne: The Musical. What are your memories of him?
Shane was incredibly polite, well-mannered and supportive. He came to see a preview, liked it, and agreed to come back on opening night. He came onstage and took a bow with me, and we walked off hand-in-hand. He came to the afterparty and chatted with people, including my dad, who was thrilled! Shane was sweet, funny and generous with his time. People always say he was charismatic – and he was. I had a huge amount of respect for Shane Warne.
Do you have a favourite quote?
Yes, from the film Finding Nemo when Dory says, “Just keep swimming.”
Do you have a grooming tip?
Never put product in your hair until it’s dry. Straight men, stop fucking around, get a hair dryer, and blow dry your hair completely before you put in the product.
Have you had a memorable wardrobe malfunction?
On the first day of rehearsals for Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5: The Musical, I made a rookie mistake. Instead of wearing tracksuit pants, I wore chinos because I thought we’d be sitting around doing a script read or sing-through but, no, the first day was a dance call! I ripped my chinos open and was completely exposed. I had to dance around in my underwear!
Speaking of which, briefs, boxers or freeballing?
Boxer briefs give me a sense of security. I’m always thinking, “What if there’s, like, an explosion, and I lose all my clothes, and I’m still in my undies?” I’d like to feel comfortable running into the street to redirect traffic around a flaming car. Boxer briefs give the impression of being shorts while also being underpants!
Follow Eddie on Instagram @edmundperfect
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