Annabeth Crittenden, Campus Carrier Entertainment Editor
Usually, spending time listening to cheerful lyrics such as “you have to see the world in shades of gray” and “you have to put some poison in your day,” would not be on top of any to-do list. Yet when the people singing are part of the Addams Family in the Rome Little Theatre’s (RLT) production of the popular musical, the rules of normality begin to bend.
The musical’s plot returns to the popular Addams Family 1960s television show. However, the musical is somewhat of a sequel, beginning when Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love — with a normal boy. The normality of her choice of fiancé horrifies her parents, whose lives exist slightly outside the boundaries of normal.
The unusual Addams family must adapt to society’s expectations when Wednesday’s fiancé, Lucas, brings his parents to the Addams home for dinner.
Walking into the DeSoto Theatre, I was immediately taken with a sense of abnormality. RLT routinely uses the length of their stage to create permanent smaller sets to be used alongside the main stage.
One of these sets was a surprisingly realistic torture chamber, complete with noose, skulls and a battle ax. The other side details Morticia’s sitting room including a red velvet settee and exotic accents.
The show begins with the traditional Addams Family theme song played by a live orchestra stationed below the stage. A hand then protrudes from the curtain, snapping along to the music and creating the eerie yet eccentric mood that continues through the rest of the show.
This mood is accentuated through the amazing costumes and makeup. As the ensemble cast portrays the deceased ancestors of the Addams family, their costumes are monotone and silky. However, each member of the ensemble has a distinct character, whether it be a saloon girl, Indian or caveman. These are depicted clearly through their costumes and wigs and play to the time period of the characters they represent.
And speaking of characters, all members of the Addams family are distinctive and allow for some amazing performances by the actors and actresses in these roles. From the start of the musical, Gomez Addams (played by Lenardo Castro) steals the show with his charm and humor. His wife Morticia (Jenny Wear) stands in stark contrast with her quiet yet seductive demeanor. Pugsley (Jared Simmons) is a quirky young boy whose favorite activity is being tortured by his sister. The family is also joined by Grandma and Lurch.
Two members of the Addams family deserve special attention for their stellar performances. Lillian Shrew, who plays the iconic Wednesday Addams, single- handedly pulled off several show- stopping numbers throughout the show, including “Pulled,” a comic, belt-heavy song about her feelings of love for her fiancé.
I would say the show is entirely worth the ticket price to see Scott Simmons’ portrayal of Fester Addams. Fester’s character works as the puppet master throughout the show, controlling the ensemble of ancestors and working for true love to prevail. In the second act, he sings a song to his true love, with a flawless high note at the end that left me in awe at his talent and vocal ability.
Overall, this show is filled to the brim with amazing cast members with spectacular ranges and vocal capacity. Although the possibly too elaborate scene changes distract from the flow of a standard musical, each number is a standout on its own.
The show is also filled with Berry alumni and faculty including Grace McMullen (‘15), Lauren Jones (‘11), and Eric McDowell, chair of the department of mathematics and computer science.
McDowell, who plays Mal, has enjoyed his experience with RLT. “Addams Family” is his second show with RLT, his first being “Spamalot” in spring 2015.
“There’s something magical about being in the theatre,” McDowell said.
Rome Little Theatre’s “The Addams Family” opened on Oct. 16 and runs through Nov. 1 at the DeSoto Theatre on Broad Street. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 on Sundays.
There will be a special 10 p.m. performance of the show on Oct. 24 following the Zombie-thon and Apocalyptic Block Party.
Tickets cost $18 for adults and $16 for students. They can be reserved on the Rome Little Theatre website or by calling the box office at 706-295-7171.