Mario Gonzalez | Photo Editor
With a spooky atmosphere that complements the season, the “Addams Family” musical creates a roller coaster of emotions along with well-orchestrated choreographies and clever lyrics.
The same well-known characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams entertain us in a production that runs more than two hours. While the run time is similar to that of a feature film, a movie doesn’t compare to seeing the action unfold live on stage.
The plot, an original story directed by Chris Ikner, revolves around the unexpected news that Wednesday Addams, played by Leslie Atkinson, has fallen in love with Lucas Beineke (Jose Pereyra), a young man from a good family, and she is going to marry him. Because she fears her mother’s reaction, she asks her father, Gomez Addams (Richard Rodriguez) to keep the news a secret. As a result, he has to deal with the internal conflict of keeping her secret or keeping his marriage intact by being honest with his wife, Morticia Addams (Ana Laura Chavez).
With her boyfriend’s family coming for dinner, the tension of keeping secrets grows between the characters in a series of scenes filled with lyrical ingenuity and the constant chorographical support of the group of undead Addams ancestors.
The “Addams Family” musical is the second show of the Camille Playhouse’s 53rd season.
This is a solid production worthy of your time, despite being mostly a romantic stage show. The comedic themes within it are certainly a welcome addition. Whether you go by yourself, with friends, a date or family, this show is one that most audiences will enjoy.
Besides a couple of microphone malfunctions, I had one big complaint. It was difficult trying to focus on the action on stage many times because of constant interruptions from some audience members. Keep in mind that this is not specifically tied to the production.
The constant entering into and exiting from the theater during a play, I believe, is highly disrespectful, for the performers and the rest of the audience. If you are a regular playgoer, I highly encourage you to be courteous by showing up on time. Like Bruce Campbell’s character says to Peter Parker in “Spiderman 2”: “It helps maintain the illusion.”
By the conclusion of the second act, I thought I had seen everything. I was not prepared for the maneuvering involved in one of the last scenes in which Morticia and Gomez earn the respect and delight of the audience. Both Ana Laura and Richard performed a vibrant dance filled with passion and energy in what I can only call an unexpected resolution.
The musical closed Oct. 30, but more shows are planned for the rest of the season. The next production is “Perfect Arrangement,” a comedy set in the 1950s, which runs Nov. 18-20. For more information, visit camilleplayhouse.net.
