When you're an Addams, you're in for anything but one normal night! Full disclosure: in Clayton High School’s production of The Addams Family, you're in for a story of love, secrets, and hilarious one-liners.
The Addams Family musical premiered in 2010, featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. It ran on Broadway for almost two years and received multiple award nominations. The show puts a spooky twist on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams. Amidst Wednesday’s new love for her "normal" boyfriend, the Addams Family must accept change and the importance of love, all while staying true to their quirky nature.
The musical offers toe-tapping numbers and plenty of dark humor, reminding us that even unconventional families have their unique charm. The cast and crew of Clayton High School’s production of The Addams Family effectively utilized the set and tech to add an extra flare of spookiness to the production. Their captivating ensemble of actors, maintained an eerie energy throughout the entire show, bringing the story to life.
William Pedrick, who portrayed Gomez Addams, continuously captivated the audience's attention. He skillfully portrayed the growth of Gomez’s character throughout the story, especially with the challenge of an accent. His chemistry with Morticia, played by Mikayla Kellum, was the cherry on top of his performance., especially in the number “Tango de Amor”, where the pair danced a challenging tango. The matador elements added a special flare which made the dance even more visually pleasing. This number and many others brought out the best of Kellum’s vocals and her characterization which was a joy to watch develop as the show progressed. It was also lovely to see her chemistry with her children, Wednesday (Briel Davis-McCoy) and Pugsley (Ashley Ward), grow stronger and stronger with every new scene.
Elijah Ortiz, who played Lucas, brought lively energy and distinct characterization to his role from the very beginning. His bright vocals shone brilliantly every time he sang. Canaan Gonzalez was hilarious as the Addams’s butler, Lurch. His comedic timing was impeccable and his solo in “Move Toward the Darkness” added a fun element of surprise. The Ancestors helped provide depth to the show through their melodic harmonies and synchronized moves. Ancestor, Ruby Taveras Reyes specifically, did an eye-catching job of always staying in the moment and bringing real life to her flapper girl through her lively characterization and dancing.
The technical aspects of the show were memorable as well. The house set was eye-catching with its vibrant colors, a real contrast to the Addams’s costumes. It was also clever to see the distinctions in the house between outside and inside. The lighting of this show truly stood out as brilliantly designed. The attention to detail was very precise, especially in the scenes when Gomez steps into the spotlight. It was also refreshing to see a new take on the characters iconic costumes; adding red to the costumes was a nice touch.
Through its memorable songs and hilarious jokes, the cast and crew of Clayton High School’s production of The Addams Family left the audience happy they didn’t stay home to have “one normal night”.