The Addams Family

The full house for the matinee performance I attended said it all: this show is top entertainment.

It’s not the most original or memorable show. The writers poached from The Rocky Horror Show to introduce a conservative American family into the bizarre Addams family.

The quality of this cast, Laraine Griffith’s direction and Mark Connors’ sterling band backing to it all are the core of this entertainment.

All leads have great singing voices. In Act 1 Richard Murphy (Gomez) illustrated that in “Trapped”; Jessica Potts (Wednesday) gave us a rich soprano rendition of “Pulled”; and Fester let rip with rich baritone vocals in “But Love”.

Aurelie Rouque was a gorgeous Morticia, whose Act 2 opening number “Death is Just Around the Corner” has stayed with me. She topped that by shedding her long skirt to reveal a stunning pair of legs in an Act 2 song-and-dance duet with Gomez, “Tango de Amor’.

The ensemble of Addams ancestors (all dancers and singers who provided much vocal backing) were choreographed effectively, and the costumiers devised all eight outfits from various past eras.  

A major highlight for me was the game the Addams Family inflict on all dinner guests: Full Disclosure. After the ritual draught from the goblet, Wednesday’s mother-in-law to be, Alice Beineke (Natalie Ridoutt) shucked off her mid-Western reserve and revealed all emotionally, even dancing on the dining table towards the end of her song.

All creatives and designers deserve kudos for this success. Don’t miss it!

Jay McKee