Gomez (Nathaniel Jones) and Morticia Addams (Daniela Isabella Ferdico) are working through the complications of Wednesday’s love for a “normal†young man in the musical comedy “The Addams Family,†running at Burien Actors Theatre from Oct. 2 through Nov. 1, 2015. Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_90971" align="aligncenter" width="490"]
The Addams Ancestors surround Morticia Addams in a song about keeping secrets in the musical comedy “The Addams Family,†running at Burien Actors Theatre from Oct. 2 through Nov. 1, 2015. Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_90972" align="aligncenter" width="490"]
Uncle Fester (John Kelleher) sings a love song in the musical comedy “The Addams Family,†running at Burien Actors Theatre from Oct. 2 through Nov. 1, 2015. Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com[/caption]
Review by Shelli Park
Photos by Michael Brunk
The stage is set. Dark and moody energy pervades the scene accentuated by whimsical, accordian-filled old-timey music. To the viewers left is a cemetery, and iron gates leading into a crypt. To the right, a dressing room. Center stage is the Great Hall, simple and archaic, a single grand wicker chair presides.
The opening number brings the family on stage in grand style gathering them together for the iconic Addams Family portrait.
It can be difficult to successfully re-create such a well-known television family. The original actors are burned into our memories. But BAT has accomplished that. This Addams Family stands on its own. The show’s music and lyrics were written by Andrew Lippa and book written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. BAT’s production is deftly directed by Mok Moser.
The set design by Albie Clementi is brilliant in its use of space. There are a number of challenges presented by the script, and Clementi handily finds creative solutions.
This chapter in the life of the Addams Family is the story of a grown-up Wednesday. The story of family dynamics, of love, and the meaning of normal.
Wednesday (Taylor Davis) has fallen in love with a ‘normal’ young man. She is feeling new emotional sensations. She is being “pulled in a new direction”. Davis strikes a good balance between dour and excited. Her facial expression and body language are wonderfully expressive of her perplexity, taking us along with her on the roller coaster of love.
This causes Pugsley (Izzy Ferdico), Wednesday’s little brother, to worry that he may lose his best and only torturer. Resentment grows, mischief ensues. Ferdico gives a charming performance.
The most wonderful performance was given by Uncle Fester (John Kelleher). Kelleher sits comfortably in his role as the thoughtful uncle who will do anything to achieve a happy ending for his niece. As an actor on stage, it is difficult to completely lose oneself in a character so that one is no longer ‘acting’ a part, but becomes that character. Kelleher achieves this and anchors the production.
Both Nathaniel Jones and Daniela Ferdico are wonderful to watch as Gomez and Morticia.
Morticia is a force to be reckoned with. Ferdico embodies the sexy, confident matriarch we have come to know through the many iterations. She is fierce but good-hearted.
Jones as Gomez plays the devoted father and husband to a tee. How to satisfy the expectations of the two women in his life? I enjoyed watching Jones fall into the traps of manipulation of mother and daughter, but come out the strong one in the end. Leslie Youngblood, who plays Alice Beineke, the mother of the young man with whom Wednesday is in love, is an amazing actor! She is hilarious. Youngblood’s high energy and comedic gifts crank this production up a notch.
The chorus of ancestors is fun, but they can use a bit more polish. Though the vocal gifts are strong, they weigh a little heavy, energetically, on the production.
But, oh, what a gift to attend a production with live music. Daryl Spadaccini once again leads a great group of musicians. The keyboards, drums and piano fill the theatre with the just-right atmosphere to carry the production.
Uncle Fester believes in the power of love. And in the end, love triumphs for all. AMEN!!
THE CAST, DIRECTORS AND MUSICIANS
Mok Moser is stage directing and Daryl Spadaccini is music directing the show and leading the live band. Also featured are the diverse acting talents of Leroy Chin (Lurch), Taylor Davis (Wednesday Addams), Daniela Ferdico (Morticia Addams), Izzi Ferdico (Pugsley Addams), Andrew Hunter (Lucas Beinecke), Nathaniel Jones (Gomez Addams), John Kelleher (Uncle Fester), John Lynch (Mal Beinecke), Anna Richardson (Grandmama) and Leslie Youngblood (Alice Beinecke) plus Dylan Cook, James Fesalbon, Jeremy Force, Erin O’Loughlin, Lani Smith and Laura York as the Ancestors.
The show is suitable for all ages.
Ticket prices range from $7 to $20. Student tickets are just $10. For tickets, special deals or other information, go online to www.burienactorstheatre.orgor call 206-242-5180.
Burien Actors Theatre is located at 14501 4th Ave SW.
$5 OFF COUPON
Click image below to print this Coupon:
Tickets available at the Box Office:
All Shows:         Â]]>OPENING NIGHT: Only on Oct. 2, get $5 off each ticket in the purchase for those who tell the box office Thing’s full name. Only available when tickets are purchased at the box office. HALF-PRICE NIGHT: Only on Oct. 3, all tickets are half price. SEVEN DOLLAR SUNDAY: Only on Oct. 4 all tickets are just $7! Remember, Sunday is a matinee performance only. DINNER AND A SHOW PACKAGE: This package includes a two-course meal at Mark Restaurant & Bar plus a ticket to the show; cost is $35 per person. Contact the Mark at 206-241-6275.
- General: $20.00Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Senior: $17.00 Â Â Â Â
- Student: $10.00
Great production. Fun sets. A bargain for the money.
Everyone should go – the show was fantastic! Whenever I see a full moon I will always think of Uncle Fester and his ukelele.
What do I love about BAT? Everything! Dedication to their craft, quality of acting, selection of plays to do, the enthusiasm and warmth of the staff, the music, the venue…I could go on and on! Addams Family is a wonderful show that everyone should see! And the set is absolutely amazing!
This show is fantastic! Mr Kelleher is superb as Fester. Every cast member is an accomplished singer, which is rare in community theater. Great job all!
The set design was amazing. The musical accompaniment was exceptional. The theater management works so hard to make every show perfect. The community support by The Mark restaurant and other major sponsors is great.
If you have never attended a production you’re missing out on a rare gem in our community.
We attended the performance on Saturday 10/3, and thoroughly enjoyed it. BAT always makes great use of their space, and bring the Addams Family to life in a charming manner. John Kelleher (Uncle Fester) is positively brilliant in his role, and is the catalyst for much of the great interplay in his scenes. Strongly recommended! Get out there and support BAT.
We went with eight friends and all of us really enjoyed it. Because we enjoyed it so much, my wife and I are thinking of going again.
Wished the show could have gone on and on! What a fun evening! Really enjoyed every bit of it. And the set! It was worth coming just to see what they did setting the scene. May be BAT’s best production. Don’t miss it.
I took my daughter to see her teacher on stage – Mr Kelleher directed a play where my daughter had one of big parts last Summer (he is a brilliant director, by the way). What can I say? We thoroughly enjoyed the performance! I almost did not recognize Mr Kelleher, I absolutely agree – he became his character. Bravo John! And bravo everybody! The cast was talented, the set was spectacular, the musicians were superb, and everything about BAM was great! You truly have a wonderful theatrical community in Burien – fantastic and unbelievable for such a little town!