The Addams Family the musical

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Star Theatre

14 December 2024 - 02 February 2025

MotherCity Productions’ rendition of The Addams Family: The Musical, staged at The Star Theatre, brought the kooky, spooky, and heartwarming world of the Addams family to life with delightful energy and memorable performances. However, while the spirit of the show shone through, some technical hiccups held back its full potential.

The production was buoyed by a standout cast, particularly Yahto Kraft as Uncle Fester. Kraft infused the character with charm and quirky humour, delighting the audience with their whimsical antics and tender moments. We especially enjoyed the serenade to the moon.

Brendan van Rhyn as Lurch delivered an uproariously deadpan performance, his commanding physicality and unexpected vocal prowess in Act II earning thunderous applause. We didn't, however, like the arm extensions - they were too obvious and needed some more practice. Van Rhyn is used to stilettos, not artificial fingers, and it showed.

Candice van Litsenborgh brought her comedic finesse to the role of Grandma, stealing scenes with her mischievous and sharp-witted portrayal, and by far a favourite in the cast.

The ensemble worked well together, creating a palpable sense of familial oddity and love that is central to the Addams’ story. The choreography and direction captured the peculiar charm of the Addamses, maintaining a lively pace throughout the show. The ensemble's group numbers were also very catchy, and I quite hoped there would be more.

The overall mood of the production was spot-on, a vibrant mix of macabre humour and heartfelt emotion that had the audience laughing one moment and moved the next. The musical numbers were engaging, with standout performances of “When You’re an Addams” and “Crazier Than You” showcasing the cast's vocal and comedic talents.

Unfortunately, the technical elements left something to be desired. The sound quality was inconsistent, with microphones cutting out at times and some lyrics getting lost in the mix. While the lighting design was respectable and generally effective in setting the mood, it lacked the creative flair that could have really elevated key scenes. The set design, though functional, fell short of the visual intricacy and polish one might expect for a production of this scale. Several set pieces felt underdressed, missing the gothic detailing that defines the Addams' eerie yet elegant aesthetic. The tall boxed columns with internal lighting was a very clever way to change the setting from house to park, but the execution of the LED strip lights had me in pain. A far better solution would be a small birdie housed out of view at the base, lighting up, rather than strips at the top shining down, it's imperfection visible to the audience.

It’s worth noting that these issues may be attributed to opening night jitters, and there is hope that the production team will fine-tune these elements as the run progresses.

Despite the technical missteps, The Addams Family: The Musical by MotherCity Productions captures the essence of its beloved source material. With a talented cast and an engaging interpretation of the story, this show offers plenty of laughs and heart. If the technical glitches are ironed out, it has the potential to be a truly memorable theatrical experience.