43
Stage Left Players ‘Addams Family’ is delightfully creepy
By Eric McCrea
Lisbon
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, and for a short time, you can catch them on the Trinity Playhouse stage in Lisbon as the Stage Left Players bring “The Addams Family Musical” back to life.
This musical, which premiered in 2010, finds Wednesday Addams (Abby Witherstine) grown up and in love. As she prepares to introduce her fiance to her family, she confides in her father, Gomez, played by Jacob Ward, and swears him to secrecy about the engagement until after an important dinner party. However, keeping secrets from Morticia, played by Molly Conser, is not something Gomez can really handle.
Meanwhile, love is becoming contagious, and Fester (Max Skidmore) confesses he’s in love as well. However, Pugsley, played by Logan Wood, isn’t too thrilled with all the changes happening around him, and he causes some mischief, in true Addams fashion. Will this new family be able to fit in with the mysterious and spooky? Tune in to find out.
Ward was an impressive leading man, keeping the audience rolling in the aisles with his over-the-top bravado and charm. He showed great character skills and distinguished vocal ability with songs such as “Not Today” and “Happy Sad.”
Cosner was especially striking as Morticia. She maintained that dark persona we all expect from this notably macabre family better than any of her cast mates while still giving a touch of the lighter musical side of the anti-Stepford matriarch. This was most evident with her song “Just Around the Corner.”
As potential in-law Alice Beineke, Sidni Worth was amazing. She had impeccable delivery and shined in songs such as “Waiting” and her duet with Cosner, “Secrets.”
Witherstine was a perfect blend of a delightfully cold little girl, and a love-struck teenager. She was electrifying in her song, “Pulled,” and was a real standout in “Crazier Than You.”
Surprisingly impressive was 9-year-old Wood as Pugsley. This talented kid was funny and on point, and his song “What If” was one of the best of the evening.
Also worthy of note were Zeb Zehentbauer as Wednesday’s fiance Lucas Beineke, John Diddle as Mal Beineke, and Skidmore’s Uncle Fester.
This deceptively young cast also featured a chorus of dead Addamses who assist Fester and other family members throughout the show. This capable ensemble added scale to the show, filling the stage with remarkable costumes and impressive vocals. They made songs such as “When You’re an Addams” and “One Normal Night” extraordinary.
The script was filled to the brim with zany one-liners and updated humor, but it decidedly lacked beloved characters such as Thing and Cousin Itt. However, the fast-paced comedy didn’t leave much time to miss them.
A simple but effective set demonstrated creativity and efficient use of the space, although the use of a projection screen might have been unnecessary.
“The Addams Family Musical” runs at 2 p.m. today and next Sunday and at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 330-831-7249, or visit stageleftplayers.org.