Cast Teeming With Talent In “Addams Family”

Review by Megan Wirts
Photos by Megan Wirts

"They’re creepy and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They’re altogether ooky. The Addams Family. Da na na na"

As soon as those familiar strains fill the Grant Fine Arts Center, the audience instinctively snaps along.  The classically spooky family takes center stage with LionHeart Productions October 27-29 and November 3-5. All of the familiar characters are there, along with several ghoulish ancestors and one “normal” family. Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has reluctantly fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, a normal boy from…Ohio. Yuck. When a family dinner is planned, hilarity and hijinks ensue as the two completely opposite families meet for the first time.

Directed by Ron Jenkins, The Addams Family Musical is a spooky and kooky delight! Filled with high energy musical numbers and a hilarious script, this show will leave you laughing the entire time. The cast is fantastic and filled with incredible talent. Joseluis “Bob” Alonzo plays the patriarch of the family Gomez Addams perfectly. After a 10-year hiatus he is back on stage with LionHeart Productions and it seems as if he just picked right up where he left off.  From the moment the show began he commanded the audience’s attention and won them over immediately with his mustachioed grin, fantastic voice and comedic timing. Morticia Addams is played by the lovely Sharolyn Metternich with great sophistication and creepy class. During her solo numbers, Metternich shines and shows off her beautiful voice and ability to make us laugh.

Wednesday Addams is played by the talented Dana Chambers. With a great big voice and the perfect amount of classic Wednesday cynicism, Chambers proved herself to be a star. Wednesday would hate this, but, Chambers made her adorably lovable. No wonder Lucas Beineke (Dreisen Aue) fell in love with her. Aue brings his charm and killer voice to the part of the wholesome young Lucas and does a wonderful job playing  opposite Chambers. His parents, Mal and Alice, are played by Jim Renney and Julia Scarlett Cole, both long time members of LionHeart Productions. Renney is excellent as the nervous and uptight father and Cole plays the rhyming, tightly wound Alice wonderfully. Cole wowed the audience during her performance in the final scene of Act 1. Full Disclosure, I love Alice.

The rest of the Addams clan is brought to life by Graydon Gesler, who convincingly played the mischievous and murderous little brother Pugsley, Kathy Jenkins hilariously plays Grandma, Alec Jenkins gives life to the lovable and loathsome Lurch, and Jamie Evans is fantastic as the creeper turned hopeless romantic, Uncle Fester. With a wildly talented group of ancient ancestors rounding out the cast.

This show had me hooked and laughing from the very beginning. The dialogue was funny and witty, and the musical numbers were catchy. With a beautifully designed set, by Mike Gesler and creepy costumes by Kathy Jenkins, it was a fun show to watch. My entire family, ages 10 and up all loved it! Run, don’t walk, and go see this show!
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There are still five chances to see it! October 28th at 7:30pm, October 29th at 2:00pm, November 3rd and 4th at 7:30pm and November 5th at 2:00pm. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $10 for Students and Seniors.
Tickets available online NOW at https://tickets.grantps.net/ or call the Grant Fine Arts Center at 231-834-5630.
Volunteers will be in the box office for phone and in-person sales M-Th 3-6pm, F 3-7:30pm, Sat 6-7:30pm, Sun 1-2pm