They’re creepy and they’re cooky, musical and loopy, death-defying spooky — they’re The Addams Family, a great family musical that enthralled and delighted everyone present. The best way to start off spooky season. The hardest working cast in the business at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia gives you a coming-of-age musical perfect for those who grew up with the Addams Family and for those who are experiencing them for the first time. Dadadadum, dadadadum, dadadadum dadadadum daadadum snap snap!
This whimsical adaptation with book by Marshall Brickman was brilliantly directed and choregraphed by Mark Minnick. There were no shortcuts taken. And if you need some puns, you’ll find them here. It’s a simple premise as old as time. Girl meets boy. Falls in love. Two families meet and everything falls apart. But it’s The Addams Family version, so you can understand it goes not just south but east, then west, then south again, with a dizzying dash to the north before everything rights itself with a loving, twisted life lesson.
From the very first scene, you are submersed in the thick of it. Ross Scott Rawlings, music director, starts you off with a thunderous opening number, “When You’re an Addams,” performed by the entire cast, dead or alive, or undecidedly in between, amid hazy fog, flickering lights, and an eerie cemetery. The scenic and properties design by Shane Lowry, Lynn Joslin’s lighting, and Mark Smedley’s sound gave this production a larger-than-life quality.
While the entire ensemble was phenomenal, some notable moments made the whole experience truly a wonder. Jordan B. Stocksdale, who portrayed Gomez was exactly how I had hoped he would be. Witty, charming, passionate, and enraptured with his amor, Morticia, beautifully depicted by MaryKate Brouillet. Stocksdale’s voice when he sang “Trapped” and “Not Today” was flawless and emotionally powerful. It was unexpected but gladly welcomed. Another surprising voice that had my mouth open and jaw on the table was Anna Phillips-Brown who played Alice Beineke. In her solo moment in “Full Disclosure,” she took full advantage of her talent and filled the entire space with her voice and her presence. I wouldn’t be surprised if people driving by outside could hear her. There is nothing like standing in the middle of the dinner table and finally releasing your pent-up frustration. Her voice, simply put, was magnificent. And what made it even more amazing is you didn’t expect any of it from her inspirational, pseudo-positive, rhyming character. Brilliant.
A dangerously cute but enigmatic Pugsley was performed by Colton Roberts, who has a very bright future ahead of him with a voice such as his. In his duet with Gomez in “What If,” his voice was so clear and developed to be so young. I look forward to hearing more from him.
Another staggering performance was Lurch, played by Adam Grabau. The whole show he did what Lurch does, grunt, walk around stiffly, and laugh at his own inside jokes. Needless to say, conversations with Lurch are typically one-sided. But let me tell you about his singing voice in “Move Toward the Darkness.” Blew me away! Completely unexpected. And totally enjoyed. That moment when you realize he is singing is my favorite moment.
And what would an Addams musical be without the dancing? It wouldn’t be. There was exceptional dancing throughout the entire show. But of course, the most spectacular dance number was the required tango between Gomez and Morticia. It’s them and it’s their love language. “Tango de Amor” was titillating while being family-friendly. Kudos to the cast in this one. An essential moment in any Addams Family adaptation, it was so well done here that the passion that this incredible scene inspired was palpable. It met and went beyond expectations. I wanted to see it all again.
I think the only bit of sadness that I had was not seeing Wednesday, creatively depicted by Lydia Gifford, in her iconic white collared black dress. That dress is so perfectly her and to not see her in it was regrettable. But to see her willingly put on a bright yellow dress to appear “normal” was hilarious.
I truly enjoyed this production of The Addams Family. It brought me such unmitigated joy and happiness. It reminded me of fond memories of other Addams moments from my childhood. From the many movies to the M.C. Hammer music video. This production absolutely deserves a spot up there with the rest of the Addams Family’s colorful and tremendous history.
Running Time: 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
The Addams Family plays through November 10, 2024, at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, MD. Tickets ($64–$92) can be purchased by calling 410-730-8311 or online.
The menu is here.
Cast bios are here.
Uncle Fester: Shawn Kettering
Grandma: David James
Mal: Jeffery Shankle
Lucas: Jackson Miller
Addams Ancestors: Asia-Lige Arnold, Jessica Barraclough, Brandon Bedore, Benjamin Campion, Rachel Cahoon, Carter Crosby, Joey Ellinghaus, Amanda Kaplan-Landstorm, Alexis Krey-Bedore, Ariel Messeca
Costume Coordination: Janine Sunday &Sarah King
Wig & Hair Design: Jayson Kueberth
Make-up Design: Janine Sunday
Projection Design: Tori Alioto
Production Stage Manager: Cheryl Stansfield
