The Addams Family
at South County High School

Reviewed on May 5, 2017

Katherine Bushman
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're altogether ooky – It's The Addams Family at South County High School, where the dedicated cast and crew presented everyone's favorite ghoulish family with equal parts horror, humor, and heart.

The musical, which opened on Broadway in April 2010, is based on Charles Addams' single-panel cartoons rather than the animated series or movie. The show follows a moment of crisis in the family's life as their daughter, Wednesday, decides she is going to marry a boy from Ohio - "A swing state!", Gomez gasps in horror. When Lucas' "normal" parents come for dinner at the Addams' gothic mansion, mischief is bound to ensue.

As the patriarch and matriarch of the titular clan, Gomez (Craig Allison) and Morticia (Doris Dougherty) were the stars of the show. Thanks to Allison's uproarious comedic skill, Dougherty's gorgeous and haunting vocals, and the duo's magnetic chemistry, the pair remained a compelling presence throughout both acts. The duo of Wednesday (Maddie Gereski) and Lucas (Nick Ferlazzo) provided a nice foil to Gomez and Morticia as they portrayed the naïveté of love struck teenagers in songs such as "One Normal Night" and "Crazier than You."

The supporting cast also worked to bring the beloved characters to life. Jake Borenstein showed impressive versatility as Uncle Fester as he alternated between ghoulish glee and surprisingly heartfelt moments such as "The Moon and Me." As ghostly Addams ancestors from every time period, the ensemble, led by dance captain Emma Stitzer, shone as well as they danced, sang, and provided a common visual thread to tie the show together.

Technical elements added to the deliciously creepy atmosphere. Makeup, designed by Carmie Basnight and Anna Luczynski, transformed actors into ghosts and ghouls with eerie realism, and the wigs worn by nearly all actors were refreshingly realistic. Lighting, executed by Evan Sparks and Peter Huynh, added to the production with a perfect balance of light and shadow as well as effects such as an illuminated moon and offstage bursts of light from a TNT blast. The orchestra did an admirable job, though at times, they overpowered the singers due to a few opening night microphone troubles.

Despite its facade of macabre silliness, and thanks to the dedication of the cast and crew of South County High School, the themes of The Addams Family ran surprisingly deep as it imparted messages of honesty, forgiveness, and the importance of family.

Devin Lucas
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Illuminated by a single spotlight, a disembodied floating hand appears through a part in the curtain, snapping to the iconic Addams Family theme song as it welcomes you to the show. The overture finishes, the curtains part, and the audience is pulled into the creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky home of the Addams Family, where a tale of love, ghosts, and mayhem is ready to be told.

Based on the classic and beloved cartoon created by Charles Addams, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, this musical tells the story of the beloved Addams Family, an eccentric New York family with a somewhat… different perspective on life. Wednesday, their daughter, is all grown up, and has fallen in love with Lucas, a nice, sweet, normal boy from Ohio. When Lucas' family decides to come visit for the night, what follows is a chaotic, hilarious, and heartfelt spectacle, filled with secrets, potions, and some rather unexpected "full disclosures". The show premiered on Broadway in April of 2010, running for well over a year before closing in December of 2011. Since closing on Broadway, it has had several national tours, played in regional theatres, and been performed in schools across the country.

Filled with difficult music and carried by a ghoulish ensemble, "The Addams Family" is a show that requires an impressive show band, a strong, cohesive ensemble, and well thought out makeup, hair, and costumes. These are certainly not easy aspects on which to deliver, but the cast and crew of South County High School was up to the challenge. The ensemble, led by dance captain Emma Stitzer, who was without a doubt a standout performer, was consistent and collected in delivering difficult and expressive dance numbers, and they were always in tune with their characters, even when not singing or dancing. Their costumes, hair, and makeup, which were impeccably well thought out and executed, perfectly completed their ghostly looks, truly selling the idea of these mischievous specters. Completing the production, the show band established themselves as one of the strongest points of the show, displaying consistency, talent, and professionalism from the start of the overture to the final notes of the finale.

In addition, standout lead performances came from cast members such as Craig Allison, Doris Dougherty, and Jake Borenstein. Allison, who played the devoted and romantic Gomez Addams, brought humor and excellent comedic timing to his role, delivering every joke with precision and punch. Alongside him, Dougherty played the regal and commanding Morticia Addams, using her low and strong voice to convincingly play her role as leader of the house. Lastly, Borenstein rounded out this kooky bunch with his lovably strange fourth wall breaks, his devotion to the role, and his adorable and sweet rendition of his solo ballad, "The Moon and Me".

Although mostly minor, a few weaknesses did affect the overall production. The microphones were the biggest issue, dropping out on numerous occasions and causing several lines and vocals to be missed. As well, there seemed to be a bit of hesitancy on musical entrances and cues, causing some awkward pauses and uncertain glances towards the band, which took away from the impact of the performance.

That said, however, the overall show was everything that "The Addams Family" should be – off-kilter, heartfelt, sweet, hilarious, and delightfully strange.

Kristen Waagner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Full disclosure: The Addams Family at South County High School was a captivating spectacle filled with clever humor, a superb ensemble, and music that you just can't help snapping your fingers to. South County has redefined normal with their lively production of the Addams Family.

The Addams Family opened on Broadway in 2010, starring Nathan Lane as Gomez, Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia, and Krysta Rodriguez as Wednesday. With a lively score by Andrew Lippa and a side-splitting book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the musical comedy honors the original comics while bringing a fresh and funny new story to the stage.

The show follows the sweet yet slightly macabre Addams Family as they deal with a new form of torture: their eldest daughter Wednesday is in love! As Wednesday invites Lucas Beineke and his parents over for dinner, Gomez Addams struggles with keeping a secret from his wife for the first time, and Mal and Alice Beineke try to adapt to the eccentricities of the Addams Family. Their antics culminate in one not-so-normal night that they'll never forget.

Eccentric patriarch Gomez Addams, played with a charismatic swagger by Craig Allison, enhanced the role's existing comedy through impressively exaggerated movement, spot-on comic timing, and a consistent accent. He showed versatility during sincere moments with his wife and daughter, as seen in the heartfelt number "Happy Sad." Doris Dougherty embodied the iconic morbidity of Morticia in her winning number "Just Around the Corner," wowing the audience with standout vocals and ample stage presence.

Young love was found in the form of Wednesday and Lucas, played by Maddie Gereski and Nick Ferlazzo respectively. Gereski's textured, brassy belt complemented Ferlazzo's clear tenor, adding to the sweet dynamic they built throughout the show. In the role of nutty narrator Uncle Fester, Jake Borenstein, brought hilarity to The Addams Family. Borenstein demonstrates his vocal range and impeccable knack of comedy in his ode to his true love, "The Moon and Me." Also notable were Lulu Romero as the wacky Grandma and Gus Cobba as Pugsley. While the distinctive leads told the story, it was the large ensemble of ghostly ancestors that truly brought the show to life. Each chorus member had a clear character and remained engaged in the action at all times. Large group numbers were performed with impressive energy and synchronicity, with each ancestor forming their own personality.

Technical elements worked to achieve the larger-than-life atmosphere that The Addams Family is known for. Distinctive hair and makeup styles identified characters and impressed with their attention to detail. Though not without faults, lighting and sound crews created subtle effects that set tone without being distracting. The orchestra expertly handled a challenging score and committed to the quirkiness of the Addams Family, opening the show on a strong note in the overture.

South County High School has brought their own spunk and heart to the creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky world of The Addams Family, all while showing that despite our differences, it is love that brings us together.

Jess Scarano
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Few can resist a snap and a smile when the familiar theme of the Addams family begins. In a story where love conquers all and family triumphs, South County High School's production of The Addams Family puts a fun spin on a classic tale.

The kooky comedy premiered on Broadway in 2010 with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The eccentric characters Americans have come to know and love originated in a single-panel gag cartoon written by Charles Addams. The musical stays true to its roots and presents the Addams family as being a very different kind of family unit with a fixation for the macabre. When Wednesday, the youngest daughter of Gomez and Morticia Addams, confesses her newfound love for a boy, Lucas, chaos erupts, true desires are uncovered, and love is revealed.

Leading the Addams clan with confidence was Craig Allison in the role of Gomez Addams. From the moment he appeared onstage, Allison drew laughs with both his hilarious delivery of lines and his natural physical comedy. In addition, he maintained a commendable Spanish accent in both song and scene. Alongside Allison was the lovely Doris Dougherty playing the sultry Morticia Addams. Dougherty expressed fantastic vocals-- particularly during "Secrets"-- and had a distinct stage presence that was both menacing and seductive. The ancestor ensemble stood out sharply during this number (especially Emma Stitzer) and cleanly executed the complex steps in sync and with ease.

In his role as Fester Addams, Jake Borenstein, countered Morticia's strident presence with a quirky and bubbly energy. Borenstein had excellent comedic timing and created an adorable persona that was exemplified during his ballad to the moon, "The Moon and Me." Alice Beineke (played by Anna Luczynski) played a wonderful "normal" counterpart to the entire Addams crew. Luczynski created a superb relationship with her son Lucas (Nick Ferlazzo) and husband Malcom (Rashaad Martin), with her extravagant use of poetry and overstated facial expressions.

Not to be forgotten is Lulu Romero playing crazy Grandma Addams. Romero portrayed the age of her character with a methodical physicality. Moreover, during her comedic scenes, Romero came into her own with her entertaining character choices and ridiculous movements. Lurch (Armin Mahmutovic), the Addams' butler, also brought laughable energy to the stage. Since he did not speak much, Mahmutovic utilized physical comedy as his main vehicle for connecting with the audience, and he made his character unique through unconventional motions.

Complementing the fantastic talent were equally impressive technical areas. The hair and makeup team did an exceptional job of transforming the cast and individualizing each look. Each ancestor had detailed contouring and a wig to create a ghostly feel while the Beinekes had regular stage makeup on to convey a sense of normalcy. Another technical element that stood out were the properties. Numerous items appeared onstage and were used effectively, such as a bird, a TNT plunger, and Grandma's cart of potions. The sound effects also added to the realism of the show, providing thunder for the storm and an eerie squeak when the door to the household opened and closed. The sound crew also did an effective job of balancing the outstanding orchestra with the actors.

In South County High School's production of The Addams Family, the audience was reminded that everyone benefits from a little quirkiness and a lot of love.

Sally Deen
Potomac Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

Eerie, exciting, and full of surprises. That's what dinner with the Addams Family is like. South County High School did a great job at expressing that to the audience. They lured everyone into a world of mischief and darkness. It was delightful in a twisted sort of way. The Addams are not an ordinary family and this production was everything but ordinary.

Craig Allison, who played Gomez, embodied an excellent blend of creepy and charismatic. The internal struggle between keeping his promise to his daughter and being completely truthful to his wife was evident in his facial expressions. Allison was also a great source of humor. His sly and hilarious lines were delivered well. His smooth Hispanic accent never faltered. He charmed everyone with his suave personality.

Doris Dougherty portrayed the mysterious and alluring Mortricia. Dougherty captivated the audience from the moment that she walked onto the stage. Her silky voice was well showcased in the song "Just Around the Corner". Doughtery carried her character with confidence. She managed to keep her poise while being assertive in her demand for her husband to reveal his secret. She persuaded the audience into adoring her.

Jake Borenstein portrayed the hopeless romantic that is known as Fester. Borenstein brought the playfulness and the compassion needed for his character. At one moment he was goofy and in the next he was caring. His love song to the moon, "The Moon and Me", was simultaneously endearing and ridiculous. Borenstein's performance was spectacular.

Every single cast member was devoted to their character. Alice, played by Anna Luczynski, went through a dramatic character development. At first she was mild and meek then she became wild and free. Lulu Romero portrayed Grandma, the eccentric old lady. Lulu's kooky character voice and crazy remarks earned her an abundance of laughter from the audience. The ancestors were an amazing ensemble. Their dancing was in sync and their voices blended well. It was an impressive cast.

Crew was an important part of the show. The lighting choices set the perfect mood for each scene. Set changes were done efficiently which made transitions between scenes short and smooth. The actors worked through the mic problems as if nothing was wrong. Makeup helped to create distinct looks for every individual character. Tech did a wonderful job at bringing the show to life.

Even though the Addams are a unit, every individual's personality shined through. They could be independent but they also meshed well together. Other cast members were able to catch the audience's attention without being an Addams. The show was the perfect balance of quirky and sweet. Cast and crew came together to create an intriguing production of The Addams Family.

Lauren Bogle
Woodgrove High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Do you see the world in shades of grey? Do you have a taste for death? Then you might be lucky enough to be a part of South County High School's Addams Family! Based off of the Charles Addam's one-panel comics, the musical follows a family with a love for the morbid whose lives get turned upside down by their daughter's choice to step out of family tradition.

The stage is full of interesting characters from overture to final bows. The catalyst for the story is young Wednesday Addams (Maddie Gereski) who falls in love with a painfully normal boy, Lucas (Nick Ferlazzo). The two have decided to get married but want their parents' blessings. However, this would require the families to get along for an entire night. Featuring hilarious clashes between Wednesday's flamboyant father and histrionic mother, and Lucas' hysterical mother (Anna Luczynski)and man's-man type father (Rashaad Martin)-- not to mention the torture-crazed little brother, Pugsley-- the waifish old grandmother, who may or may not be family (Lulu Romero), and various Addams family ancestors: even "one normal night" seems next to impossible!

Featured in the cast was Craig Allison as the father of the family, Gomez. His performance was one of true commitment; his constant swagger and ability to take advantage of the difficult written and physical comedy kept audiences engaged and laughing the whole night. Sharing the spotlight with Allison was Doris Dougherty. A bright spot in the show, her featured songs such as "Secrets" and "Death is Just Around the Corner" brought energy to the show, and the night benefited greatly from her powerful stage presence and leadership. Dougherty's interpretation was fully developed and the commitment to her cartoonish personality brought the character to life. Together, Allison and Dougherty had great chemistry and were able to bounce off each other in a way that suggested professional theater.

In the supporting roles, Gus Cobba made a wonderful Pugsley. Taking advantage of every moment he had onstage, he endeared the audience to his plight and surprised listeners with his small script additions and fresh take on the childish character. Additionally, Jake Borenstein as Fester was extremely enjoyable to watch. Capturing the hearts of all with his small ballet-esque turns and heartfelt love-ballads to the moon, he had the entire audience cheering as he chased his love through a chorus of flappers and colonial soldiers.

The entire cast had a great chemistry that was fun to watch and made the show engaging and honest. The family interacted wonderfully due to their distinct personalities and execution of characters. While it is easy to go overboard with the dramatics of this show, the cast toed the line perfectly between comedic drama and uncomfortable overacting. The ensemble worked together like a well-oiled machine, creating characters and scenes between themselves that enhanced the richness of the story line and made the show visually interesting, while also staying connected and not distracting from the main action.

The Addams Family technical team gave a clean performance. The set changes were smooth, efficient, and quick. Despite the large cast, the choreography was very clean, and the group worked together with the trademark unification. While there were some flubs with individuals' microphones, the cast recovered well and it did not seem to hinder their performances; a huge credit to the professionalism of the cast. All makeup and wigs fit the character very well and showed a close attention to detail and character choice.

South County High School presented a night of uproarious laughter and glee in The Addams Family.

Joan Flaherty
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Ba ba ba bum (snap, snap) ba ba ba bum (snap, snap) ba ba ba bum ba ba ba bum ba ba ba bum (snap, snap.) An iconic tune of your typical death praising family, recognized by people of all generations, The Addams Family. South County High School's rendition of "The Addams Family" revisits the classically beloved grim characters with upbeat songs and tango inspired dance numbers.

"The Addams Family" first opened in Chicago in 2009 before making its official Broadway debut in 2010, where it played until 2011. The show is based on the classic Saturday morning Addams Family cartoon, making a creative decision to create an original plot from that, disregarding the television series and movie.
The macabre family was done justice by the triple threat cast of South County High School. Wednesday Addams (Maddie Gereski) as the beloved child of darkness created an interesting, captivating dynamic with her fiance Lucas (Nick Ferlazzo.) Pugsley (Gus Cobba) and Lurch (Armin Mahmutovic) were both characters whose dedication to their roles created a lasting impression. Pugsley's comical and exaggerated facials drew the audience to him during group scenes. Lurch proved you don't need lines to be memorable.

A power couple for sure, the chemistry between Gomez and Morticia Addams (Craig Allison and Doris Dougherty respectively) seemed so real and passionate and caused the audience's heart to yearn when the couple fought and smiled during the "Tengo De Amor." Both talented vocalists and actors, they created dynamic lovable characters. Allison exhibited precise comedic timing; and Dougherty displayed sass and confidence in "Just Around the Corner."

Another character worth mentioning is Fester, played by Jake Borenstein: acting as a narrator to the story, Borenstein's dedication to the goofy, bubbly man is what made "The Moon and Me" an audience favorite.

The show was topped off with a mastery of technical skills. Spotlights and specials were artistically used to set the mood before an actor even stepped on stage, balancing the dark aura associated with the Addams family without literally making the stage black. The makeup of the ensemble and Addams family was distinct and unique, contributing to the already brilliant engaging work (especially being done by the ancestor ensemble) on stage. The orchestra proved itself skilled from the overture. It caught up with the actors when needed without fail and created a full beautiful sound. With such a power pit orchestra though, during the multiple times the mics would fail to function, it was difficult to hear the actors sing, leaving the audience feeling as though they missed part of the show.

While Wednesday Addams might have wished for just "One Normal Night," South County's production of "The Addams Family" will make your night much more than that. After all who wouldn't want the opportunity to spend the night like an Addams?