The comedy snaps in this spooky and hilarious musical
Avon Players will “Move Toward the Darkness” with its latest offering as it brings to life a beloved pop culture brood with The Addams Family: A New Musical, running May 19-June 3.
Based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, The Addams Family features an original story and songs by Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, Big Fish). Gomez Addams’ (Eric Rodman) happily macabre world is disrupted when his daughter Wednesday (Mackenzie McIlroy), previously the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with Lucas Beineke (Brendan Johnson), a sweet, smart young man from a “normal” family. And, if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now Gomez must do something he’s never done before: keep a secret from his beloved wife, the formidable Morticia (Johannah Steinbrecher-Booker). Meanwhile, Pugsley Addams (Nate Gorman) is jealous of his sister’s new relationship and plots his revenge using a potion stolen from Grandma (Kathy Kade). Even crazy Uncle Fester (Toby Booker) gets in on the act, enlisting the ghosts of the Addams ancestors to set things aright. Everything will change for the titular family on the fateful night they host a dinner for the Beineke clan including Lucas’ blowhard father Mal (Tagg Smith) and his perennially poetry-spouting mother Alice (Lia DiFonzo).
The Addams Family musical features characters first introduced in Charles Addams’ darkly funny comic strips for The New Yorker. The comics were adapted into the popular 1960s sitcom starring John Astin and Carolyn Jones. Other popular iterations include the 1991 feature film starring Raúl Juliá and Academy Award winner Angelica Houston and its 1993 sequel. The stage musical originally starred Broadway legends Nathan Lane and Tony Award-winner Bebe Newirth.
Tickets for all shows are $22 ($20 on Sundays for students and Seniors). Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All seats are reserved. Show dates and times follow:
Friday, May 19 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 20 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 21 2:00 p.m.
Friday, May 26 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 27 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 28 2:00 p.m.
Friday, June 2 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 3 8:00 p.m
About Avon Players
Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theatre (plus free parking and concessions on a donation basis) a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a “downtown” venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 21% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.” Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248.608.9077 or by visiting the website: www.AvonPlayers.org.
Cast and Production Staff by Community:
Commerce Township
Mackenzie McIlroy (“Wednesday Addams”)
Davison
Dan Romzek (Assistant Director)
Detroit
Nic Folson (“Gambler Ancestor”)
Fraser
Tina Castiglione (“Bride Ancestor”)
Lake Orion
Bill Davenport (“Pirate Ancestor”)
Oakland Township
Patrick Daniels (“Lurch”)
Rochester
Nate Gorman (“Pugsley Addams”)
Brendan Johnson (“Lucas Beineke”)
Rochester Hills
John (JD) Deierlein (Vocal Direction/Production Designer)
Peggy Deierlein (Producer)
Brad Holoday (Hair and Make-Up Design/Master Carpenter)
Louise Holoday (Hair and Make-Up Design)
Kathy Kade (“Grandma”)
Max Schein (“Minuteman Ancestor”)
Romeo
Abbey Johnson (“Saloon Girl Ancestor”)
Hannah Johnson (“Stewardess Ancestor”)
Royal Oak
Ryan Moore (Director)
Shelby Township
Audrey Sharp (“Flapper Ancestor”)
Sterling Heights
Lia DiFonzo (“Alice Beineke”)
George Liebau (“Doughboy Ancestor”)
Eric Rodman (“Gomez Addams”)
Warren
Toby Booker (“Uncle Fester”)
Johannah Steinbrecher-Booker (“Morticia Addams”)
Waterford
Tagg Smith (“Mal Beineke”)
West Bloomfield
Maritoni Harte (Choreographer)
West Bloomfield Township
Matt Kush (Music Director)