Quirky fun emanating from the graveyard
How a seemingly lifeless family can be exuberantly full of life proved to be the ultimate paradox in last night's performance of The Addams Family at Laura Secord Secondary School.
This contemporary musical fit for a new generation of audiences features the hilariously macabre tightknit Addams family that we all know and love. Straying from the popular movie and television show however, this iconic family is battling a new problem that they never have before coping with change. As Wednesday is on the cusp of adulthood, she reveals to her father her intentions of marrying a regular boy named Lucas Beineke who is the exact opposite of everything the Addams stand for. Filled with secrets, songs, and touches of dark humour, this musical shows the journey of two different families, the Addamses and the Beinekes, coming together on one truly eventful night. This visually captivating performance plays with one's expectations and questions what it truly means to be normal.
Dexter Sonier perfectly executed Gomez's suave and sophisticated persona. Though his character was very outgoing and ostentatious, he was able to communicate to the audience his caring nature and role as a father and husband as well, through his range of physicality and facial expressions. The on-stage relationship and banter between Annika Johnson (Morticia) and Sonier was incredibly believable, and kept the audience consistently entertained. Beth Plue (Wednesday) gave an excellent performance and impressively, was able to showcase the depth of her character-playing with the emotions of the audience. Though on occasion comedic pauses were brushed over, this did not take away from the skillful delivery of the rather outlandish and risque punchlines from the cast.
With an incredible amount of gusto, the supporting cast set a solid foundation for both the high energy and morbid tone of the show. Entitled, "The Ancestors," this ensemble was comprised of the ghosts of all the dead Addams since the beginning of time- featuring the likes of a scientist, caveman, aviator, and more. Layered in grey, cream, and pasty colours, each actor was to come up with the identity of their character, and this individualistic attention to detail that was carried out added to the spectacle of the show. While remaining in these characters, the supporting cast was always listening and reacting to what the leads were saying, creating a realistic and captivating display.
Accompanying the vocalists was the remarkable live orchestra playing a m lange of different styles. From the show-stopping Latin infused musical numbers to the ridiculous ballads, the orchestra complemented the vocalists and allowed them to reinforce these ideas of change and acceptance that are integral to the musical.
The stage manager and crew (lead by Molly Nicoletti) did an admirable job of maintaining the flow of the performance.
The coordination of complicated props and set pieces, as well as the major transitions between the two key settings- the inside and the gates of the Addams family householdwere impeccably executed. Brilliantly masked with physical comedy by The Ancestors, these transitions were not only efficient, but highly entertaining as well.
The intricate and intentionally gaudy make-up and realistic wig application emphasized the Addams family's ghoulish quirks, and added to the aesthetic of the show.
Though at times, the microphone balance and quality downplayed some of the expected climactic moments of the show, the actors managed to cope with this challenge and maintained undeniable energy throughout.
The Addams family was a true spectacle to watch. Filled with lessons of love, self-confidence, and familial values, it reminded the audience of why in these times of turmoil and heightened world tensions, we keep turning to this comforting family and their abnormal quirks.