Through Sat 8/20
A lot of us remember The Addams Family on TV. Well, I always forget I am old, but the legend of the Addams Family has had tremendous legs — a beautiful, dysfunctional family that primarily lives in the world of the macabre. This musical is a character actor’s dream, and director/choreographer Pamela LaForce kicks some major macabre in this production.
First of all, Edmond Wolff is at the top of his game. His set, lighting, image and sound design is definitely on point, and is one of the most impressive set images I have seen at Chagrin in a long time. Sitting in the audience waiting for the show to start, I couldn’t help but get excited, because I knew some fabulous stuff was about to happen.
The opening number “When You’re an Addams” is a kick a$$ way to start the show. Which brings me to the other jaw dropping nuance. The costumes. Jen Ryan outdid herself in creating these characters and bringing them to life. Each character beautifully designed, and that helps set the evening for a thrilling ride. Bravo.
Then listening to the opening number, I realize how good the orchestra is, led by Andrew J. Novak. The orchestra is tight, full of sound, greatly balanced, and houses a terrific trumpet player Tim Schaffer. I have to admit, usually the trumpet is the toughest instrument to get right and listen to in many shows, but when Schaffer played, I was like “Holy $hit, he is excellent”. But then, so is the entire orchestra. Of course, I said that to myself.
Another impressive element were the excellent scene changes. These were well-orchestrated and executed. Bravo, stage crew and cast.
Paul Sloop as Gomez is excellent. Armed with an alluring and festive accent, he is the epitome of his character. This guy can sing and act his face off, and makes us laugh out loud as he does it. As head of this crazy family, he is a lead that you dream of in a production. Following his lead is another knock-out performance turned in by Jen Justice as Morticia. She slinks her way through the story with charming grace, and a droll sense of deadpan that is to die for. Her dancing is beautiful to watch, her line is fluid, and her acting is divine. As Wednesday, Alex Petsche knocks it out of the park. Her voice is a treasure trove of happiness. Petsche captures all the traditional nuances of her character with tolerable and loving crispness. Being the normal girl in the family is quite a hilarious predicament, and she nails it with her inimitable characterization.
Don Knepper is a total scream as Fester. This is a master class in mugging, timing, and watching the pure joy of a total character’s embodiment that makes you so happy everytime he comes on stage. His journey to the moon is worth the whole show (and his special appearance once you think he is gone is the icing on the cake). Mason Kacmar is a kid wonder. Holding your own in this cast could be intimidating, but not for Kacmar. He is totally comfortable with creating a lot of laughs, and can sing with the best of them. His timing in “One Normal Night” is a total fabulous trainwreck to watch. It is so wrong, but so damn funny.
The one castmate that you are most likely to have a beer and a shot with is the incomparable Candace Russell as Grandma. Grandma looks like she has been to hell and back, and no one plays it up better than Russell — funny, grumpy and agitated, which means I couldn’t be happier. Mike Kecic as Lurch is in fine form. He mumbles effectively and executes Tim Conway-esque timing. He saves one vocal surprise for the end which is a hoot.
Then we come to the somewhat normal family. Enrique Caraballo as Lucas, plays the lovesick boyfriend very well. He has tons of charm, pose and vocal ability to make the teens swoon, and provides a great balance against Wednesday’s family. Love is Love is Love is Love. Steve Brofman brings some uptight fun to the shenanigans. Great character which provides a much needed contrast to the craziness around him, which sets up and makes the wrongness feel so right to launch into a laugh. And then one of my personal favorites is Nina Takacs as Alice, Lucas’s Mother. She is a rhyming spectacular tornado of fluff and energy, who hides a delicious dark side, which luckily we get to see come out. Great character work and just a damn blast to watch.
Add to all of this fine theatrical fun the Ancestors, a hot mess of dead people who come out of the graves and joyfully infiltrate the house to enhance the proceedings. There are a few that struggle with dance steps, but the collective energy overrides any temporary diversions. And seeing Stephen Bundy kill it on the dance floor certainly helps.
As you might be able to tell, I had a blast and encourage you to go out and see this show. I think it is one of the best I have seen at this theater. Most of that has to do with Pamela LaForce. Her energy infuses this piece, her casting makes it a perfect theatrical cake to eat, and her vision inspired her collaborators to impressive work, and finally, her work entertains the heck out of people.
Overall, I give this 4 Mufasas out of 5.
Tickets: $16-$20
440-247-8955
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Chagrin Falls, OH 44022