Jenna Ortega’s “Beetlejuice 2” Upcoming Performance Among Fandango’s Most Anticipated of 2024

It appears Americans can’t wait to see Jenna Ortega’s next performance…

Fandango has released its list of the most-anticipated wide-release movies in 2024, with the 21-year-old Mexican American actress and Wednesday star’s Beetlejuice 2 making the Top 5 on several lists.

Jenna OrtegaOrtega is starring in the sequel to the popular film Beetlejuice, which Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder.

She’ll portray the daughter of Ryder’s returning character, Lydia. It’s one of the most anticipated new performances on the big screen, coming in at No. 2 behind Lady Gaga’s performance as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Beetlejuice 2, meantime, ranks No. 1 on the most anticipated horror/suspense/thriller and comedy in 2024. In addition, it comes in at No. 2 on Fandango’s most anticipated wide-release of 2024.

But Ortega isn’t the only Latinx artist to make Fandango’s list…

Pedro Pascal comes in at No. 5 on the list of most anticipated new performances on the big screen for his role in Gladiator 2.

The 48-year-old Chilean actor’s role in the sequel to the epic historical drama Gladiator remains a mystery.

Fandango, the NBCUniversal-owned digital movie brand surveyed 8,000 ticket buyers about the titles they’re most looking forward to, and also gauged their mood heading into next year. About 81% of respondents say they are more excited about films in 2024 than they were heading into 2023, with 88% declaring their intention to go to multiple films.

Here are the full results from Fandango’s 2024 Most Anticipated Movies Survey:

2024’s Most Anticipated Wide-Release Films:
Deadpool 3
Beetlejuice 2
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Dune: Part Two
Venom 3
Despicable Me 4
Inside Out 2
Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim
Gladiator 2
A Quiet Place: Day One

Most Anticipated New Performances on the Big Screen:
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux
Jenna Ortega in Beetlejuice 2
Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked Part 1
Chris Pratt as Garfield’ in the new Garfield Movie
Pedro Pascal in Gladiator 2

Most Anticipated Heroes:
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in Deadpool 3
Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in Deadpool 3
Steve Carell as Gru in Despicable Me 4
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock in Venom 3
Jack Black as Po in Kung Fu Panda 4

Most Anticipated Villains:
Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice 2
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux
Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker: Folie à Deux
The Aliens from A Quiet Place: Day One
Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two

Most Anticipated Action/Adventure (Non-Superhero) Movies:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Dune: Part Two
Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim
Gladiator 2
A Quiet Place: Day One

Most Anticipated Family Movies:
Despicable Me 4
Inside Out 2
Kung Fu Panda 4
Mufasa: The Lion King
Garfield

Most Anticipated Comedies:
Beetlejuice 2
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Bad Boys 4
Mean Girls
Wicked Part 1

Most Anticipated Superhero Movies:
Deadpool 3
Venom 3
Joker: Folie à Deux
Transformers One
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Most Anticipated Horror/Suspense/Thrillers:
Beetlejuice 2
Alien: Romulus
Nosferatu
Twisters
The Watchers

Most Anticipated Theatrical Genres:
Action/Adventure
Comedy
Superhero/Comic Book
Drama
Animated/Family

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer to Star in Upcoming Broadway revival of Monty Python Musical “Spamalot”

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer has (Spam)alot to look forward to.

The 466-year-old half-Puerto Rican musical theater actress/singer will star in Broadway’s upcoming revival of the Monty Python musical Spamalot.

Leslie Rodriguez KritzerRodriguez Kritzer will reprise her role of Lady of the Lake from the popular Kennedy Center production.

She’ll be joined by James Monroe IglehartMichael Urie, Jimmy Smagula and Nik Walker, who will also reprise their Kennedy Center production roles.

Ethan Slater and Christopher Fitzgerald are joining the cast as newcomers.

Performances of the Monty Python musical comedy begin Tuesday, October 31, at the St. James Theatre ahead of an official opening night of Thursday, November 16.

Also returning from the Washington D.C. production is Josh Rhodes as director and choreographer.

With a book & lyrics by Python’s Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Idle, the original 2005 Broadway production was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won three including Best Musical.

The creative team for the revival, also announced today in addition to the casting, includes scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada & Haley Parcher, wig design by Tom Watson and music direction by John Bell.

The role of Sir Lancelot has yet to be cast.

The musical is based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and features such songs as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more.

Rodriguez Kritzer most recently starred on Broadway in the Beetlejuice musical.

Jenna Ortega In Talks to Star in Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” Sequel

Jenna Ortega could be juicing for her next role…

20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American Golden Globe-nominated actress and Wednesday star may be reuniting with Tim Burton on his next project as Hollywood insiders report Ortega is in early talks to reunite with the Wednesday creator on Beetlejuice 2 at Warner Bros.

Jenna OrtegaMichael Keaton and Winona Ryder are reportedly expected to reprise their roles with Burton directing.

Production is expected to start in late May or early June in London, but the film’s budget hasn’t been set, resulting in some back and forth.

If a deal is made, sources say Ortega would play the daughter of Lydia, the character played by Ryder in the Burton-helmed original.

Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara also starred in the original film, which grossed $80 million on a $15 million budget. It also scored a Best Makeup Oscar at the 1989 Academy Awards.

Ortega has been on a roll as of late, led by her record-breaking Addams Family series Wednesday. The show has smashed Netflix viewing records and has been renewed for a second season. She’s hosting Saturday Night Live on March 11 and is appearing on in Scream VI.

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer Returning to Broadway’s “Beetlejuice” This Spring

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer is juiced for her next role…

The 44-year-old half-Puerto Rican musical theater actress/singer will be back on stage in Broadway’s Beetlejuice when it returns this spring.

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Broadway, Beetlejuice,Rodriguez Kritzer, who originated the roles of Delia/Miss Argentina, will be joined by much of the cast that was in place before the March 2020 pandemic shutdown.

Joining the previously announced Alex Brightman in the title role and Rodriguez Kritzer will be fellow returnees Kerry Butler, David Josefsberg, Adam Dannheisser, Kelvin Moon Loh, Danny Rutigliano and Dana Steingold.

New to the production will be Elizabeth Teeter as Lydia Deetz, Michelle Aravena as Miss Argentina and Zonya Love as Maxine Dean/Juno.

The musical begins performances at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre on Friday, April 8.

Aravena has appeared on Broadway in A Bronx Tale, Rocky, Jersey Boys and A Chorus Line.

The full cast of Beetlejuice also includes Kate Bailey, Will Blum, Ryan Breslin, Natalie Charle Ellis, Brooke Engen, Eric Anthony Johnson, Andrew Kober, Elliott Mattox, Mateo Melendez, Ramone Owens, Commodore C. Primous III, Nevada Riley and Graham Stevens.

Based on the 1988 film starring Michael Keaton, the musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, an offbeat teenager whose life changes when her family moves into a home inhabited by a recently deceased couple and the green-tinted-haired demon Beetlejuice. The musical features an original score by Eddie Perfect, and a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, with choreography by Connor Gallagher.

Beetlejuice originally opened at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre on Thursday, April 25, 2019, and closed along with the rest of Broadway in March 2020 due to the pandemic shutdown.

The Music Man currently occupies the Winter Garden, necessitating Beetlejuice‘s change of venue.

Santino Fontana Earns Tony Awards Nomination for “Tootsie”

Santino Fontanais back in the running…

The 2019 Tony Award nominations have been announced, with the 27-year-old part-Spanish American actor/singer earning recognition.

Santino Fontana

Fontana, previously nominated in 2013 for his starring role as Prince Topher in the Broadwaymusical Cinderella, is nominated in the Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical category for his work in Tootsie.

Fontana portrays Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels in the Broadway musical adaptation of the film of the same name, which starred Dustin Hoffman as the lead character.

Eva Noblezadais now a two-time Tony Award nominee…

The half-Mexican American actress/singer, who received a Tony nomination in 2017 for starring in the 2017 revival of Miss Saigon, is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for portrayingEurydice in Hadestown.

Prior to appearing on Broadway in Hadestown, Noblezada opened in the lead role of Eurydice in the Royal National Theatre‘s production of the musical on the West End.

Sergio Trujillowill be crossing his fingers on Broadway’s biggest night.

The internationally recognized Colombian choreographer is nominated in the Best Choreography category for his work in Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations.

Trujillo previously earned a Tony Award nod in the same category for his work on the Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan musical On Your Feet! 

Hadestowntopped all nominees with nods in 14 categories including best musical, where it will go up against Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the TemptationsBeetlejuiceThe Promand Tootsie.

This year’s Tony Awards will air at 8:00 p.m. on CBS on June 9 from Radio City Music Hall, with James Cordenserving as host.

Here’s the full list of nominations:

Best Play
The Ferryman
Choir Boy
Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
What the Constitution Means to Me
Ink

Best Musical
Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations
Beetlejuice
Hadestown
The Prom
Tootsie

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play 
Paddy Considine, The Ferryman
Bryan Cranston, Network
Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird
Adam Driver, Burn This
Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play 
Annette Benning, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons
Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet
Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton
Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom
Derrick Baskin, Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations
Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice
Damon Daunno, Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show
Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom
Beth Leavel, The Prom
Eva Noblezada, Hadestown
Kelli O’Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

Best Orchestrations
Michael Chorney + Todd Sickafoose, Hadestown
Simon Hale, Tootsie
Larry Hochman, Kiss Me, Kate
Daniel Kluger, Rogers + Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Harold Wheeler, Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Revival of a Play
Arthur Miller’s All My Sons

The Boys in the Band
Burn This
Torch Song
The Waverly Gallery

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Michael Krass, Hadestown
William Ivey Long, Beetlejuice
William Ivey Long, Tootsie
Bob Mackie, The Cher Show
Paul Tazewell, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg — The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Revival of a Musical
Kiss Me, Kate
Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill + Peter Nigrini, Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations
Peter England, King Kong
Rachel Hauck, Hadestown
Laura Jellinek, Rogers + Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
David Korins, Beetlejuice

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, Beetlejuice
Peter Hylenski, King Kong
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations
Drew Levy, Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Nevin Steinberg + Jessica Paz, Hadestown

Best Original Score
Be More Chill,music & lyrics by Joe Iconis

Beetlejuice, music & lyrics by Eddie Perfect
Hadestown, music & lyrics Anais Mitchell
The Prom, music by Matthew Sklar & lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Tootsie, music & lyrics by David Yazbek 

Best Book of a Musical
Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations, Dominique Morisseau
Beetlejuice, Scott Brown & Anthony King
Hadestown, Anais Mitchell
The Prom, Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin
Tootsie, Robert Horn

Best Choreography
Camille A. Brown, Choir Boy
Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me, Kate
Denis Jones, Tootsie
David Neumann, Hadestown
Sergio Trujillo, Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Scene Design of a Play
Miriam Buether, To Kill a Mockingbird
Bunny Christie, Ink
Rob Howell, The Ferryman
Santo Loquasto, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Jan Versweyveld, Network

Best Costume Design of a Play
Rob Howell, The Ferryman
Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet
Clint Ramos, Torch Song
Ann Roth, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Ann Roth, To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Sound Design of a Play
Adam Cork, Ink
Scott Lehrer, To Kill a Mockingbird
Fitz Patton, Choir Boy
Nick Powell, The Ferryman
Eric Sleichim, Network

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Neil Austin, Ink
Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Peter Mumford, The Ferryman
Jennifer Tipton, To Kill a Mockingbird
Jan Versweyveld + Tal Yarden, Network

Mateo Melendez to Star in Broadway’s “Beetlejuice” Musical

Mateo Melendez is juicin’up for Broadway…

The Latino actor has been added to the cast of Broadway’s Beetlejuice when the new musical begins previews next month.

Mateo Melendez

Melendez will star alongside last fall’s pre-Broadway cast members Jill AbramovitzKelvin Moon LohDanny Rutigliano and Dana Steingold.

Other cast members include Alex Brightman(in the title role), Sophia Anne CarusoKerry ButlerRob McClureAdam Dannheisserand Leslie Kritzer.

Rounding out the 25-member cast include Tessa AlvesGilbert L. Bailey IIWill BlumJohnny Brantley IIIRyan BreslinNatalie Charle EllisBrooke EngenAbe Goldfarb, Eric Anthony JohnsonElliott MattoxSean Montgomery, Ramone OwensPresley Ryanand Kim Sava.

Beetlejuice starts previews Thursday, March 28 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Opening night is April 25.

Beetlejuice, based on Tim Burton’s 1988 film starring Michael Keaton, is directed by Alex Timbers, with an original score by Eddie Perfect, book by Scott BrownAnthony King, and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

Other credits for the Broadway production include David Korins (scenic design), William Ivey Long (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Peter Hylenski (sound), Peter Nigrini (projections), Michael Curry(puppet design), Jeremy Chernick(special effects) and Michael Weber(illusions).