If you’re looking for a fun theatrical treat, look no further than SDMT. “The Addams Family-A New Musical Comedy” is now playing through, well almost Halloween and how fitting)
Spending time with the Addams 'Family, Gomez, amazingly talented (Mauricio Mendoza) Morticia,his wife, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Grandma, and the zombie looking Lurch, the butler (Jackson Marcy) is a haunting, macabre -but one of a kind experience.
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| Mauricio Mendoza and Erica Marie Weisz |
You’re in for a goulash romp through Central Park and areas most don’t live to talk about; the crypts of The Addams Family ancestors. It does sound a bit weird, but I’m in uncharted territory here
“The Addams Family” with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa is based on the Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams’ cartoons, but the story that was Broadway bound is original.
In 1964 “The Addams Family” became a TV series and later a morning cartoon for the Sat. morning contingency of kids who tuned in to watch cartoons long before electronic devices over took their brains. In the ‘90’s several movies appeared on the big screen.
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| (front) AJGange,( l to r)Debbie Nicastro, Lena Ceja, Ryan Burtanog Jackson Marcy (back row) |
The story opens at the crypts of The Addams Family ancestors. Once a year they come out, so to speak, for a family reunion. This particular family visit didn’t end as well as expected for the ancestors. The gates of the crypts closed too soon leaving the dearly departed engaged in problem solving before the gates would open again for them.
Here’s the pitch: 18 -year -old Wednesday Addams (performed by the talented Lena Ceja) wants to host her boyfriend Lucas’ (Carson Marcy) from swing state Ohio) family for a meet and greet dinner party. It will be a first for the Addams’ to dine with ‘outsiders. No doubt it will be an eye opener for the Beineke’s, Mal and Alice (Ryan Fahey and Alexis Zimmerman).
At the gates, Uncle Fester (an amazingly talented and cuddly cute (if you can call him that- Ryan Burtanog) “The Moon and Me”, tells the ‘family’ that he needs their help with the ‘Wednesday problem’. They cannot return to their crypt until Wednesday and Lucas (Carson Inouye) are happily married. (“Festers Manifesto”)
It seems daughter Wednesday has fallen in love with Lucas Beineke a young man she met one night wandering about the park. It was love at first sight; pledges were made and a ring exchanged. They want to get married but her family has a few objections. As an outsider, there will be some getting used to well… a different way of being.
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| A.J. Gange, Lena Ceja (center) Erica marie Weisz with ancestors |
On the other hand, love has transformed Wednesday from black sack to bright and happy; from all black to bright yellow, (the talented Chong Mi Land designed the costumes) a color her mother, Morticia, cannot, absolutely cannot abide But her biggest problem is telling her mother that she wants the family to invite the Beineke family to dinner for a ‘meet and greet’.
All hell breaks loose when Mom Morticia ( the beautifully talented and fun loving Erica Marie Weisz) hears about the invite and dinner. She’ll reluctantly go along, but for a little revenge for not being kept in the loop, decides to play the “Full Disclosure” game with the new in-laws. (“Full Disclosure”
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| Lena Ceja |
In the meantime, mischief making son and brother Pugsley, (A. J. Gange) steals Grandma’s (Debbie Nicastro) magical truth potions ‘that will bring out someone’s dark nature’. At the dinner it was intended it for Wednesday but it ended up being downed by Alice Beineke (a deliciously hysterical and physically adept and with an operatic voice to die for Zimmerman, who just about stole that entire scene. And she does!
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| Mauricio Mendoza (center) with Lurch and ancestors |
Director Carlos Mendoza (yes his brother is Mauricio) and a sterling cast bring out the best there is with their collective talent to elevate a kooky romp in the park to a rather pleasant spell of charming but eerie entertainment.
Mendoza ( Mauricio) and Ms. Weisz are a natural together. There is a chemistry between the two that ignites when he is trying to calm mother and daughter who do not agree on much, to get along. As both singer, dancer, and dead pan (pardon the pun) comic, his talents spill over as the very concerned and caring father while trying to cope with his suspicious and curious wife. (“Trapped”
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| Alexis Zimmerman |
Their famous tango “Tango de Amor” is one of the many happy surprises along with their “Let’s Live Before We Die” as the two make plans to travel the sewers of Paris. Yup. There’s that too.
As for the stunning in all black talented and sexy Ms.Weisz, her musical pipes and characterization of Morticia are as comical as they are subtle and graceful. (“Just Around The Corner”)
In comparison, the other Mom, Alice is an uptight and disappointed in her life wife who goes bonkers after she downs the ‘magic secret cocktail revealing secrets of the other half of her up tight husband who is, pardon the expression, mortified by her outbursts. Ryan Fahey, the outsider, with an underwritten character, who has forgotten how to be a caring human being finally gets with the program.
As for the ancestor’s ensemble, one couldn’t ask for a more talented group. They sing and dance (Aaron Pomeroy choreographs and how about a ‘Bunny Hop’?) and pose like Greek statues on platforms.
Once again Chong Mi Land shines with the all shades of grey fitted costumes that actually take on the look of granite. Mathys Herbert designed the sets, Michelle Miles, the lighting, Brandon Boomizad sound and Richard Dueñez Morrison, Music director and just a suggestion… lower the volume please.
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| Lena Ceja and A.J. Grange |
Guessing from the audience participation the day I attended, most were familiar with the overture from the TV theme. They were right in there snapping their fingers and swaying back and forth as the music started.
If you like ghoulish, you will love this show; it’s just this side of the macabre, but not to fear, it’s so morbidly funny you just might want to see it for a second time if but to believe your eyes. And if you are looking for a free liftoff to the moon get in touch with Uncle Fester “The Moon and Me”.
See you at the theatre.
The Addams Family
San Diego Musical Theatre
4650 Mercury Street in San Diego (Kearny Mesa)
Wed & Thurs at 7; Fri at 8; Sat at 3; Sun at 2
ends on Oct 29, 2023
for tickets, call 858.560.5740 or visit SDMT
photos by Heather Longfellow
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