NORTHUMBERLAND — The Westmoreland Players Theatre will present “The Addams Family, a New Musical Comedy” February 14 through March 2.
Audiences will no doubt be familiar with the Addams Family, recalling with fondness the campy television series that aired from 1964 to 1966, the two Addams Family movies from the 1990s, and the Netflix hit series “Wednesday,” reported director Marcia Peters.
Many fans may not realize that the phenomenon originated in the 1930s with a series of single panel cartoons by Charles Addams in The New Yorker magazine, featuring the ghoulish clan including Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Fester, Grandma, and Lurch.
“The Addams Family, a New Musical Comedy,” by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa presents a new story for the familiar and zany characters. The morose Wednesday Addams has secretly become engaged to a “normal” boy, Lucas Beineke. Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez, but makes him promise, against his better judgment, not to tell Morticia. When the Addams family invites Lucas and his parents to dinner, Morticia insists that they play a game called “Full Disclosure,” which is loosely based on the Spanish Inquisition. Young Pugsley sabotages the event in an effort to undermine Wednesday’s romance with Lucas. Chaos and hilarity ensue.
The Addams Family offers many catchy songs, presented with verve and musicality under the tutelage of musical director Kelly Wright, said Peters. The play opens with “When You’re an Addams” as Gomez welcomes a chorus of Addams ancestors back from the crypt to celebrate “the great cycles of life and death.”
Other memorable tunes include “One Normal Night,” “Crazier Than You,” “The Moon and Me,” and “(Death is) Just Around The Corner.” Under the guidance of choreographer Kristen Blackwell, the cast pays homage to Broadway classics with energetic dancing. The lush set includes scenic projections by Ovation Theatrical Productions
Peters most recently piloted “Matilda the Musical” in 2023. She has skillfully blended several very talented newcomers with a well-established roster of local actors.
Fresh and youthful actors Lauren Reynolds and Ethan Parker make their Westmoreland Players debuts as Wednesday and Lucas. Erika Hogge sparkles in her first appearance on the local stage as Morticia, “she of skin so fair, eyes so black, and dress cut down to Venezuela.” George Payne is simultaneously creepy and adorable in his first role as Fester Addams. Several members of the ancestors are also new to the Players stage.
Meanwhile, regular audience members will recognize veterans Dan Beckhard, Gomez; Matt Johnson, Mal Beinecke; Rachel Beard, Alice Beinecke; Laurie Breakwell, Grandma; and of course perennial crowd favorite, John Pitman as Lurch.
The Westmoreland Players Theatre is located at 16217 Richmond Road, Callao. For tickets, visit westmorelandplayers.org or call 529-9345.
