“The Addams Family” has surged in popularity in recent years, but if Evergreen Playhouse audiences are expecting a rehash of recent television adaptations of the Charles Addams cartoons, they should prepare to be surprised.
“It’s not what everyone will think it’s about. Everyone’s going to think it’s about Wednesday because of the popularity of the (Netflix) show,” said director Michelle Koenen. “It really is about Gomez coming to terms with his family growing up, his wife growing older and losing his grip on the family.”
“The Addams Family” musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2010, is an original story following the titular Addams family as they host a dinner with Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.
“And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia,” the Evergreen Playhouse states in the show’s description.
“(He) only wants the best for his family, and so he’s willing to go to whatever lengths he needs to to make his daughter happy,” Matthew Michael said of his character, Gomez.
“The musical theater version of Wednesday is very different in some ways compared to a lot of the other ones we’ve seen out there,” said Lizzie Conner, who portrays Wednesday. “She is experiencing love and starting to feel a lot of happiness and joy that the Addams family isn’t really (known for) … and she’s having to figure out how to work with these emotions.”
The show’s main theme centers around acceptance, which Koenen said was one aspect of the show that appealed to her as a director.
“The thing that I loved most was the message of acceptance. Accepting people who are different, accepting family that is going through changes, because they think it's relevant to current times,” she said.
The show is a family-friendly musical comedy, though Koenen advises parents that “there are a couple of grownup jokes.”
Overall, the cast and crew agree that the show is meant to be fun for audiences of all ages.
“I think the show is so fun and the music is so catchy,” said Tim Donnell, who plays one of the Addams' ancestors. “I look forward to coming to rehearsals and watching everyone perform. They’re so talented.”
The music and lyrics are by Andrew Lippa and the book is by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman.
“The Addams Family” runs at the Evergreen Playhouse in Centralia from Friday, May 24, to Sunday, June 9. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays during the run. A pay-what-you-can actor’s benefit performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30.
Tickets, which are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors, can be purchased online at https://evergreenplayhouse.com/ or at the door before each performance.
The Evergreen Playhouse is located at 226 W. Center St. in Centralia.
Cast list
Gomez: Matthew Michael
Morticia: Melyssa Johnson
Wednesday: Lizzie Conner
Pugsley: Emma Crummett
Fester: Sarah Amador
Grandma: Janelle Lunzman
Lurch: Guy Warren
Mal: Isaac McKenzieSullivan
Alice: Jennifer Wallace
Lucas: Henry Wegener
Bride ancestor: Katie Wegener
Conquistador ancestor: Derek Wilson
Caveman ancestor: Jordan McMahon
Hippie ancestor: Arlo Phillips
50’s ancestor: Emilie Brown
Saloon girl ancestor: Brittany Wilcox
Cowboy ancestor: Sean-Patrick McNeal
Viking ancestor: Odette Mohr
1800’s ancestor: Tim Donnell
Pirate ancestor: Asia Conner
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