My Perfect Weekend with Beetlejuice The Musical actor Andy Karl
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American actor Andy Karl and his fiancee, Australian actress Elise McCann, at Central Park in December 2024.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDY KARL
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Who: American actor Andy Karl, who plays the title role in Beetlejuice The Musical, opening at the Esplanade Theatre in January 2026. Best known for his stage work, the 51-year-old has won a Laurence Olivier Award and a Drama Desk Award, and has been nominated for three Tony Awards. These accolades were for his work in the musicals Rocky in 2014, On The Twentieth Century in 2015 and Groundhog Day in 2017.
On television, he had a recurring role as a police detective in the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 2015 to 2016. On film, he has appeared in the musical comedy-drama Joyful Noise (2012) and comedy-mystery Atrabilious (2025). He met his fiancee, Australian Elise McCann, when they acted together in the musical Groundhog Day in 2024. The actress, in her 40s, is also in Beetlejuice The Musical, playing a recently deceased home owner.
Andy Karl in Beetlejuice The Musical, which is set to be staged at the Esplanade Theatre in January and February.
PHOTO: MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP
“Because a lot of my work is in Broadway, much of my time is spent in New York City, where I love spending whatever downtime I have in Manhattan’s Central Park. I used to rent an apartment at the corner of West 88th Street and Central Park West, just next to the park, and it was so nice.
I could walk to the park and cycle all around the man-made lake there. The lake is actually called the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, named after the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963.
When Elise and I lived in New York City, we loved going on dates at the park and walking my dog Birdie, an adopted chihuahua who is almost five years old. At Central Park, I have lain down on the grass and eaten at the iconic restaurant Tavern On The Green. I have hung out with friends there. I have not yet rowed a boat on the lake, but it is something I really want to try.
One of my best memories at the park is playing in a ‘Broadway softball league’. Such a league exists, and the teams are the productions which the players – either cast or crew – are involved in. The losing team gets knocked out and, by the end of the season, one production will emerge as the winner.
I played for Legally Blonde from 2007 to 2008, Wicked from 2010 to 2011 and Moulin Rouge! The Musical earlier in 2025. I won for Wicked and lost the last game for Legally Blonde by, like, two points. I am usually the third baseman because I like the action and athleticism of that position. Playing softball at the park is one of the most gorgeous and fun things you can do on a summer day.
American actor Andy Karl playing softball at Central Park in August 2017.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDY KARL
In any case, there is always something to do at Central Park and it is so iconic.
Films such as When Harry Met Sally (1989) and You Don’t Mess With The Zohan (2008) were shot there. Celebrities walk freely, and I saw actors Mark Ruffalo and Jessica Chastain around that area when I lived there. It is the heart of Manhattan and I love it.”
American actor Andy Karl plays the title role in Beetlejuice The Musical, which is set to be staged at the Esplanade Theatre in January and February 2026.
PHOTO: MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP
Book it/Beetlejuice The Musical
Where: Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive sistic.com.sg
When: Jan 15 to Feb 15, 2026; 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 2pm (Saturdays), 1 and 6.30pm (Sundays); the performance on Jan 17 starts at 7pm
Admission: $72 to $244 via Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to
