I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I settled into my seat for “The Addams Family” musical. Would it be too campy? Not campy enough? As the lights dimmed and that iconic snap-along theme kicked in (along with a strong spotlight on a dancing “hand”), I just knew it. This was going to be fun.
A Star-Making Performance
The story here is simple and somewhat familiar: the Addams Family’s world is turned upside down when Wednesday falls for a “normal” boy. With Gomez (Lorenzo Martini) sworn to secrecy from Morticia (Mariana Alfaro), and a make-or-break dinner party looming, chaos ensues as two very different families collide.
Even though the story revolves mostly around Wednesday (Sheida Ghadakchian), Gomez (Lorenzo Martini) is the star here. His over-the-top acting worked perfectly here – I mean, who doesn’t love a good sword fight in the middle of a musical? Every time he took center stage for one of his comically dramatic narrations, I found myself leaning forward, not wanting to miss a single quip.
Uncle Fester (Jon Zecharia) quickly became my favorite character. His moon romance subplot was so wonderfully absurd. I couldn’t help but root for him, even as I was chuckling at the ridiculousness of it all. The role of Uncle Fester requires an actor who’s both self-aware and unafraid to go over the top. Zecharia nailed it, perfectly balancing wacky humor with charm. His performance was both hilarious and lovable.
And of course, I just have to highlight Dennis Klyver’s performance as Lurch. That makeup! That constant deadpan expression! I was thoroughly impressed by how the actor maintained that stony face throughout the show. And then, when he burst into song at the end? I nearly fell out of my seat in shock and delight.
Throughout the show, Morticia (Mariana Alfaro) and Wednesday (Sheida Ghadakchian) surprised me with their vocal performances. Both ladies hit their notes perfectly, but what really stood out was the unexpected tenderness in their voices. Despite the characters’ macabre nature, Alfaro and Ghadakchian brought a loving and calm quality to their singing that added depth to their roles. Ghadakchian excelled at her comedic performance at a torture-focused stint in “Pulled” while Alfaro stunned with her meticulous “Just Around the Corner”.
The Addams Family’ Ancestral Chorus deserves a special mention. Their umbrella dance during “The Moon and Me” was hauntingly beautiful. The chorus, wearing beautiful costumes spanning different centuries, became an integral part of every scene, and added that much-needed halloween vibe to the show.
Standout Scenes
The dinner (and game) scene was a particular highlight. It starts off innocently enough, but as it progresses, it’s like watching a deliciously dark train wreck. I couldn’t look away as Alice (Gemma O’Loghlen) spiraled into madness during the family’s twisted game. The energy on stage was electric, reminding me of the first time I watched “Beetlejuice” – that perfect mix of shock and laughter that leaves you breathless.
And the tango scene in Act Two? You could clearly see how much practice went into the detailed choreography (including the classic rose in the teeth moment). The dance was just soaked with romance! Let’s just say it got a little warm in the theatre, if you know what I mean!
The costumes and makeup across the board were fantastic. I can only imagine the challenges the makeup and costumes team faced – keeping all that white powder in place under hot stage lights couldn’t have been easy. But it paid off – every character looked perfect. Congrats to Robbie Drake for the wonderful makeup work and to Ughetta Pratesi and Abigail Welford for the costumes and set.
The band also deserves a special shout-out. Hidden away in the shadows, they absolutely nailed the performance. The music added just the right amount of creepy atmosphere without drowning out the singers. I found myself tapping my foot along more than once.
By the time the curtain closed, I realised I’d spent the entire show with a smile plastered on my face. “The Addams Family” musical is a rollercoaster of laughs, gasps, and surprising moments of tenderness. It’s not perfect, but in a way, that’s what makes it so charming.
The Addams Family
by City Academy Studio Company
14-19 October 2024, Bridewell Theatre London
Book by MARSHALL BRICKMAN and RICK ELICE
Music and Lyrics by ANDREW LIPPA
Based on Characters Created by Charles Addams
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