BA-DA-DA-DUM: “SNAP, SNAP!”

REVIEW: ADDAMS FAMILY

BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO

If you’re even just a mild fan of The Addams Family TV series, then 3D Theatricals’ production of the Broadway musical The Addams Family is the show for you! This show is modern musical comedy at it’s finest. Even hard-core musical theatre aficionados will appreciate this show, as the fantastic music and lyrics of Andrew Lippa are tuneful and smart. The original Broadway sets are a treat as the audience is transported all over, from a graveyard to the forest, the Addams’ mansion and the sky complete with the moon and stars. The choreography by Dana Solimando was stimulating and dynamic — a mixture of swing, ballet, jazz, soft-shoe, and tango are all skillfully executed by the dance ensemble of ghosts.

Bronson Pinchot, left, and Rachel York. Photo Credit: Isaac James Creative.

Heading the bill of this production are Bronson Pinchot and Rachel York who lead the cast as Gomez and Morticia Addams. Pinchot is best known for playing wacky and eccentric characters often with a French accent. This time it’s a Spanish accent—the perfect fit. Even with the freshness that only opening nights can offer, Pinchot is hilarious. As the show progresses, his comedic timing and character seemed to develop more and more, and by the second or third performances there’s no doubt that he will find his comedic groove.

Rachel York, no stranger to the stage, delivers a performance as the morbid Morticia with absolute bravura and tenacity, you would think she’s played this role a hundred times. Morticia has only a few songs in this show and York performs all of them like a seasoned pro with crispness and purpose; her robust and powerful voice fills the stage like no other. York’s act two opening soft-shoe number, “Just Around the Corner” can’t help but delight—funny, dark and chock-full of razzmatazz.

Uncle Fester (Anthony Gruppuso) plays the iconic oddball character from the TV sitcom. In this musical version, his character is given depth and purpose—he’s in love with the moon and acts as our omniscient guide. Gruppuso rises to the occasion, performing the duality of the Fester character beautifully—philosopher, screwball and pathfinder. The performances of his songs throughout are sweet and sincere especially the ballad to the moon, “The Moon and Me” in act two where on the final note we see the sheer power in his enchanting voice. The youngest member of the cast, Dante Marenco, makes his 3-D Theatricals debut as Pugsley Addams. He plays the jealous little brother who yearns for his sister’s torturing, skillfully performing the poignant and clever song “What If.”

Anthony Gruppuso and the Addams Ancestors. Photo Credit: Issac James Creative.

The most notable performance is this production is without a doubt Wednesday Addams (Micaela Martinez). Wednesday’s situation serves as the main plot point, and she gets the two best and most difficult Lippa songs. Martinez is focused and on a mission, adeptly serving as the show’s through line from her first entrance. She captivates the audience’s attention in every song she sings—bright, athletic and electrifying. It doesn’t get better than the songs “Pulled” and “Crazier Than You”—Martinez is on fire!

Micaela Martinez, left, and Dante Marenco. Photo Credit: Issac James Creative.

WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR?

Corey Hirsch makes his debut as music director for this 3-D Theatricals production playing the Keys 1 book and leading the 12-piece orchestra. The sound of the show was immaculate from cast to orchestra—everything was well thought out and well rehearsed. The orchestra, contracted by the Los Angeles Musicians Collective, was superb, performing the challenging orchestrations by Larry Hochman with ease and excitement.

FULL DISCLOSURE: 3-D Theatrical’s Addams Family is the perfect fall show to take the family or anyone who is after some great laughs and an overall killer production. For more information and tickets visit: http://www.3dtshows.com.