Move Toward the Darkness

The Addams Family

Fall has arrived and there’s a definite chill in the air—especially at BrightSide Theatre. Celebrating the company’s 15th Anniversary, the theatre kicks off their 2026-27 season with a musical that’s not only perfect for Halloween, but a show that began its life in Chicago. In 2009, THE ADDAMS FAMILY had its preBroadway tryout. Despite a star-studded cast it opened to mixed reviews. Following a much-needed script revision, by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (JERSEY BOYS, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER), and some changes, additions and deletions to the score, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (BIG FISH, THE WILD PARTY), the musical opened on Broadway the following year. 

Because theatergoers were eager to see the beloved characters created by Charles Addams brought to life on stage, the musical overcame poor criticism and became a popular audience draw. Then a smarter, further revised version of the musical toured nationally, eventually playing Chicago once again. The audiences who had been previously disappointed with the original production welcomed a show that redirected its focus from its stars to the Charles Addams’ characters, where it belonged. BrightSide Theatre’s delightful professional production is the audience and critically approved version of the show. And as the musical “Moves Toward the Darkness,” as the song says, there’s much comedy and mayhem to enjoy. 

The story mainly revolves around Wednesday Addams, brilliantly played by lovely and talented young actress and vocalist, Lauren Mathews (THE PRODUCERS, BrightSide). Now that she’s grown up to become a young woman, Wednesday wants to marry—gasp!—an outsider. His name is Lucas Beineke, and he’s earnestly performed by handsome Matthew Andresen (PIPPIN; PHANTOM IN CONCERT, Brightside). Gomez, hilariously and energetically portrayed by the multitalented Scott Kelley (THE PRODUCERS; THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, BrightSide), and Morticia, played with a sultry demeanor and a macabre mystique by the striking triple threat, Samantha Keret (making her BrightSide debut), try to rein in their rebellious daughter. Unfortunately, amidst meeting the prospective in-laws, wading through deceptions and lies and learning to trust their parenting skills, plenty of  complications arise.  

Following the familiar theme song (snap, snap) from “The Addams Family,” the popular television show of the 1960’s, the new opening number entitled “When You’re an Addams” introduces the entire clan, both “both living, dead and undecided.” This introduction also includes my favorite characters in the musical: an ensemble of eight eerie, expired ancestors, all from different time periods, who emerge from their crypts beneath the family graveyard. The ghosts, who all overflow with talent, continually appear throughout the show to sing, dance and offer their ghostly assistance to the living characters. They’re played by Michelle Bolliger, Ashely Chavez, Hannah Decker, Chris Frewen-Pena, Peter Kattner III, Katelynn Pitzaferro, Emily Sherman and the hilarious Sydney Howes. 

Four more actors make their auspicious BrightSide Theatre debuts in this production. We meet young Pugsley Addams, Wednesday’s faithful, but jealous, little brother, who’s played with devilish whimsy by Carson Kelley, appearing with his actual father, in the role of Gomez. The audience is also introduced to hilarious Uncle Fester, portrayed by Collin Borisenko. This brilliant comic actor (think of Curley from “The Three Stooges”) offers nothing but childlike joy and happiness as a man who’s fallen in love with the Moon! Then we meet Lurch, the reticent family butler, played with morbid stiffness and a beautiful, resonant voice by Nahuel Recoba. And last, but not least, feisty Grandmama is portrayed with charm and the uncensored candor of a very old lady, by Chicago radio personality, Dona Mullen.

In addition to the Addams Family, we also meet Lucas Beineke’s  uptight parents. Alice, his pretty, poetry spewing mother is brought to life by lovely Amy Arbizzani, the talented veteran of several BrightSide Theatre productions (SHE LOVES ME!; PHANTOM IN CONCERT; GYPSY). Alice, and her cautious and conventional husband, Mal, aren’t too sure about the bizarre family of their son’s girlfriend. Mal’s nicely played by John McNally (THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, BrightSide). The two parental units undergo the biggest character changes, after Pugsley accidentally gives Alice a magic, truth serum potion at dinner. The result is a delightful song called “In the Arms.” 

De Haddad guest directs this BrightSide MainStage musical with assured know-how and an especially creative use of the Meiley-Swallow Theater space. Celebrating her fifth season with BrightSide, Ms. Haddad directed one of the Concert productions and, as the Theatre’s Education Manager, has directed many of the youth project shows. Musical direction for the show is by Phil Videckis, who also plays keyboard and conducts the talented eight-member backstage orchestra. Shane Brown has come up with some amusing and lively choreography to help punctuate every nuance and beat of Lippa’s score. And both talented scenic designer, Ariel Mozes, brilliant lighting designer Kurt Ottinger, and gifted costume designer, Cheryl Newman, have added another layer of wit and whimsy to this production with their fantastic fantasy elements. The portraits of the ancestors that come to life are works of art. The rack used by Wednesday to happily torture Pugsley during their song, “Pulled,” contributes to one of the funniest musical moments. And not only does each of the Family characters look like they just stepped out of the Charles Addams comic strip, the Ancestors’ ghostly period costumes, makeup and wigs make this show sparkle.    

With clever songs that range from the plaintive, “Where Did We Go Wrong,” to “One Normal Night;” from the catchy “Just Around the Corner,” to the show-stopping “Tango de Amor,” THE ADDAMS FAMILY eventually reveals every characters’ “Full Disclosures” of aspirations and apprehensions, bringing them into reality. And by the end of evening, we join the large cast as they all join together to “Move Toward the Darkness.”

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 2-18 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos courtesy of CM Stage Photography