Review: The Addams Family - a rib-tickling story, delivered by a wonderful cast and crew

The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy

Characters by Charles Addams

Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Stage Director/ Choreographer: Lee Ann Hittemberger

Producer/ Music Director: Charles Enlow

Conductor: David Close

Shoreline Community College Theater

October 6 - 15, 2017

Review by Doug Gochanour

It’s an elaborate and beautiful production from top to bottom.

You won’t have to be ghoulish to thoroughly enjoy The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy. This presentation has a rib-tickling story, delivered by a wonderful cast and crew. Singing and dancing are each first class. And, the outstanding orchestra fills the theatre with lively melodies, which enhance the story line in such a delightful way.

Those familiar with The Addams Family have come to expect the unusual, from the time that Lurch, (Dima Pogrebniak) the laconic butler, opens the giant doors and grunts. Humor creeps out at every turn. Where else could you expect to hear songs like, “Death is just around the Coroner.”

Photo by Anne Julson

Josh Pulley is brilliant as Gomez Addams, as is Camaira Metz in her role as Morticia. It seems that daughter Wednesday has aged so much that she is nearly Thursday. Mimi Alexander gives a great performance as Wednesday, who is in love with a “NORMAL,” and afraid to tell her parents. Lucas (Santana Ortiz) is afraid to tell his parents, that he is in love with a lovely “NON-NORMAL.” What can go wrong when the news gets expressed?

For one thing, a raucous dinner party takes place, where the secret engagement is to be revealed. Cassia Ward is terrific as the devilish Pugsley, who fears Wednesday will no longer torture him. He puts a potion into the cup intended for his sister. Diners are all playing the game, “Full Disclosure.”

Lucas’s mother drinks the potion, instead. Norah Peters is fantastic in her portrayal of Alice, and her reaction to her own life situation. Everyone begins to question his or her own marriage. These enhanced tensions create a hilarious circumstance. What will the outcome be? Can everyone come together and resolve their differences?

SCC Musical Theater Program has achieved another success with this production. Be sure to attend a performance. You will be very glad you did.

You have just Friday, Saturday, at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm to see the production, so don't delay. Tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets or at the door.

Shoreline Community College Theatre, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133. (campus maps). No fee for parking evenings and weekends.