They’re creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky, and altogether ooky, but this isn’t your parents’ “Addams Family.”
Lancer Productions presents the musical comedy this weekend and next in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium.
Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has fallen in love. She breaks the shocking news to her family that her boyfriend, Lucas, is … from Ohio. Moreover, the couple want their parents to meet. She begs the family to give her “one normal night.” Wednesday also confides in her father, Gomez, that she and Lucas are engaged and asks him to keep this a secret from her mother. Though Gomez agrees, this puts him in an awkward position, because through their marriage, he has never, ever, lied or kept a secret from Morticia.
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s brother, Pugsley, becomes upset when he realizes now that Wednesday has a boyfriend, she won’t have time to spend with him. Uncle Fester longs for his own love, which he fears can never be.
When Lucas and his family arrive, the Addams Family attempts to be on its best behavior. But Lucas’ parents, Mal and Alice, are hiding their own secrets, and the night quickly goes awry. So, Uncle Fester enlists the help of the Addams’ ancient ancestors to ensure love prevails.
Director Ashley Becher said Lancer Productions has been eyeing doing “The Addams Family” for a while, but this year, they knew they would be able to bring together the perfect cast.
And that cast is having fun with this show. They said the most fun part has been the family aspect. “We all have the same humor,” said Brayden Serrano, who plays Gomez.
“It wouldn’t be the same without everyone in this,” said Charlotte Madden (Morticia). “It’s such a crazy dynamic. It’s so perfect,” agreed Natalie Sierk (Wednesday).
With the popularity of the “Addams Family” movies and TV show, as well as Netflix’s “Wednesday” series, cast members are also well aware of the fondness many people in the audience will bring to this show. “It’s such a big responsibility, but it is an honor to be able to portray it in our own way,” said Sierk.
“It’s beautiful; we’ve kind of incorporated some of the modern aspects into this,” said Grady Kirst (Uncle Fester). That includes a rendition of the viral Wednesday dance and some other TikTok favorites.
The musical is also an opportunity to bring together old and new faces. This year, that includes Emily Stutting (Grandma) and Alexander Simmons (Lurch). While Stutting, a senior, made her debut in “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” as a Cheshire Cat, this is Simmons’ first show with Lancer Productions.
“I went into it completely scared,” said Simmons. “I knew that everyone was going to be amazing, but I was still really nervous, because I didn’t completely know what to expect. And then I came here, and right away, everyone was so amazing. I’m always asking the craziest questions, and still, all of these people here just welcomed me in and answer all of my questions, no matter how weird they might be. And it’s just been really amazing to be a part of this. I’m really thankful.”
“Just being here with everybody, we have so much fun together,” said Stutting. “Everybody has the same humor and there’s so many inside jokes. When I first got here, I was like, I don’t know about all these, but now I’m learning them, and it’s just like a family.”
And that feeling of family is what the cast hopes the audience takes away from the show.
“You have to have your family; that’s so important,” said Madden.
“Whether it’s blood or chosen,” said Sierk.
“And you don’t find your people until you’re really you,” said Serrano.
“We welcome the Beinekes in, even though they’re not what we think is traditional, and vice versa with them,” said Madden.
“I was talking to my mom about the show, and I was talking about the ‘define normal’ line, and she said, ‘You need to define your own normal, because everyone’s normal is different,’” said Kirst.
“It reminds me of my family,” said Simmons. “My family might not be this dysfunctional, but it’s just a constant reminder that families are messy. It’s not something that comes easy, but it’s just something that needs to be cherished so much, because it’s not something that everyone has. Not everyone has a family like this, and you just need to be thankful for what you’ve been given.”
The cast includes: Brayden Serrano (Gomez Addams); Charlotte Madden (Morticia Addams); Grady Kirst (Uncle Fester); Emily Stutting (Grandma); Natalie Sierk (Wednesday Addams); Bella Suarez (Pugsley Addams); Alexander Simmons (Lurch); Ben Lightle (Mal Beineke); Taylar Vondal (Alice Beinke); Jack McCarthy (Lucas Beineke). The Ancestors include: Marlayna Cockshoot, Charli Conner, Nora Davis, Bryton Dougherty, Ashton Goodwin, Ben Hill, Madi Hillmann, Riley Johnson, Pacey Kane, Kaitlyn Knepper, Katelyn Kuesel, Hayden Lacher, Brooklyn Lacher, Cael Mess, Sophia Nelson, Jane Nichols, Katelyn Peck, Emme Plett, Riley Plymale, Addalie Reese, Ella Siokos, Ezekiel Skyles, Mason Smeltzer, Kaden Timmerman, Micah Webb, Zach Wiese, Addyson Yanke and Emma Zrostlik.
“The Addams Family” is directed by Ashley Becher, with student assistant director Mya Kelsey. Bobby Becher is music director. The show is produced by Stacie Kintigh. Emily Hintze is in charge of marketing and public relations. Choreography is by Ashley Becher, with additional pointe choreography by Emme Plett.
The technical director is Josh Tipsword, with student technical director Taylor Crain. Stage manager is Madi Brus, assisted by Alliana Ray. The lighting designer is Hannah Nelson, assisted by Kallen Rohlf. The light board operator is Kallen Rohlf, and the spotlight operator is Samantha Mussack. The sound designer/operator is Kora Thiessen, and the sound board operator is Bella Riley. The stage crew includes Ella Dierickx and Michael Hames. The properties masters are Haidyn Koberg, and Parker Herrington. The costume and wig and hair design lead is Renae Mohr. The hair, makeup and costume crew includes Charli Conner, Eva Wyatt and Emma Reif.
The scenic designer was Josh Tipsword. The set construction crew included: Hannah Nelson, Taylor Crain, Samantha Mussack, Kallen Rohlf, Alliana Ray, Ella Dierickx, Parker Herrington, Emma Reif, Michael Hames, Emma Zrostlik, Madilyn Brus, Eva Wyatt, Eleanor White, Charli Conner, Noah Siokos, Natalie Yanke, Mya Kelsey, Rafael Formigoni, Alexander Simmons, Addyson Yanke, Allana Sosnowski, Grady Kirst, Hayden Lacher, Layla Talbert, Natalie Sierk, Kaitlyn Knepper, Charlotte Madden, Benjamin Hill, Charlotte Mendenhall, Sophia Frahm, Nora Davis, Brayden Serrano, Haidyn Koberg, Kora Thiessen. The paint crew included Emma Zrostlik, Haidyn Koberg, Mya Kelsey and Parker Herrington.
This year’s Soda Poppers include: Sophia Frahm, Elly Matheson, Charlotte Mendenhall, Camilla Miller, Makayla Miller, Reilly Nienhaus, Will Noonan, Elena Skadal, and Cooper Stevens.
Performances are Friday, April 17 and 24, and Saturday, April 18 and 25, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 19 and 26, at 2 p.m. in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $15 at the door and at tix.nshslp.com, with a credit card fee if applicable.
Dinner theatre performances are April 24 and 25, with doors for dinner opening at 5 p.m. Tickets for dinner are $20 each in addition to the show ticket and must be purchased in advance at tix.nshslp.com.
“The Addams Family” contains some strong language and adult humor. Viewer discretion is advised.