Art, Entertainment, & Reviews
Full Disclosure for the Addams Family Musical
Freedom Gobel
Through dark humor, grave dancing, brutal truth, and most importantly death, “The Addams Family” musical teaches an important message: Love triumphs in the end. Directed by Ms. Carrie Baker, this production as a whole takes high school theatre to a new level, and gives Reagan’s true theatrical talents a chance to shine bright.
When Wednesday Addams reveals her intent of marriage to her father (in trust he’ll keep quiet with his wife and her mother) the chain of secrets begin, leading to a dinner they'll never forget with the husband to be, Lucas Beineke, and his parents. The clash of personalities definitely creates tension between the families as they struggle to make good impressions. Normalcy is the goal for both, but the Addams’ obsession with death and the Beineke’s pure effervescence push them far away from this desired point.
The stars of this production are clear from the beginning. Emmanuel Rodriguez and Julia Matiszik, playing the iconic husband and wife duo, Gomez and Morticia Addams, bring life to the stage where it otherwise may be lacking. Rodriguez represents an amazingly well rounded artistic talent, displaying more than adequate gifts in acting as well as singing. All eyes are on Matiszik when she makes an appearance on stage- the strongest stage presence is undeniably hers. Other honorable mentions go to Katie Gillingham as Grandma, Kyle Radomski as Fester, and Amber Weissert as Alice Beineke.
Unfortunately, the stellar acting presented by Rodriguez and Matiszik doesn’t quite make up for the more, dare I say, amateur performances. Shayla Finley, playing Wednesday Addams, was generally decent. The majority of her lines were delivered in the same register, which may have been a specific character choice, but often stopped the natural flow of a scene. Her obvious talents lie elsewhere, in vocals, and she stole the stage during her first solo of the show, ‘Pulled’, where she expressed her new view on life as a young woman in love.
The ensemble, in this case many Addams ancestors, gave the audience much to look at. The costuming was truly a work of art- each piece with detail and and a great deal of thought. Historical and timely figures occupied the stage during all points of the show and interacted accordingly with both the main characters and the audience. Despite their necessary contribution to the show, there were too many, and they often overcrowded the stage, distracting from the intended focus. However, many ensemble members were able to develop their characters without dialogue- an applauded skill in the theatre world.
In a musical sense, this show was phenomenal. Under the direction of Ms. Erica Breitbarth, the vocals were exceptional and the orchestra never missed a beat. The opening numbers, ‘Overture’ and ‘When You’re an Addams’, started the show off strong and instantly captured the attention of many. As a chorus, the language was clear and beautifully sung. Individual soloists were delightful to watch on stage as they displayed their own unique vocal styles and talents. The most commendable solos are the following: ‘The Moon and Me’ sung by Kyle Radomski as Fester, ‘Just Around The Corner’ by Julia Matiszik as Morticia, and ‘Happy/Sad’ by Emmanuel Rodriguez as Gomez.
Props to the stage management/crew, technical director (Nicolo Onorato), and sound engineer (Adam Murphy) for successfully developing a fitting environment for this story to be told most effectively and eloquently.
‘The Addams Family’ was the perfect show for laughing, swooning, cringing, and more. It was definitely a show worth seeing. Reagan’s theatre and music departments are reaching bigger and better things, and ‘The Addams Family’, is among one of the best productions yet.
2017 TOMMY NOMINATIONS
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance: Emmanuel Rodriguez (Gomez Addams), Julia Matiszik (Morticia Addams), Shayla Finley (Wednesday Addams), Kyle Radomski (Uncle Fester), Jazmin Reyes (Pugsley), Amber Weissert (Alice Beineke)
Outstanding Supporting Performances: Elijah Wall (Lucas Beineke), Katie Gillingham (Grandma), Drew Dickens (Lurch), Sam Locke (Mal Beineke)
Outstanding Direction: Carrie Baker
Outstanding Stage Management
Outstanding Costume Design: Kim Huber
When Wednesday Addams reveals her intent of marriage to her father (in trust he’ll keep quiet with his wife and her mother) the chain of secrets begin, leading to a dinner they'll never forget with the husband to be, Lucas Beineke, and his parents. The clash of personalities definitely creates tension between the families as they struggle to make good impressions. Normalcy is the goal for both, but the Addams’ obsession with death and the Beineke’s pure effervescence push them far away from this desired point.
The stars of this production are clear from the beginning. Emmanuel Rodriguez and Julia Matiszik, playing the iconic husband and wife duo, Gomez and Morticia Addams, bring life to the stage where it otherwise may be lacking. Rodriguez represents an amazingly well rounded artistic talent, displaying more than adequate gifts in acting as well as singing. All eyes are on Matiszik when she makes an appearance on stage- the strongest stage presence is undeniably hers. Other honorable mentions go to Katie Gillingham as Grandma, Kyle Radomski as Fester, and Amber Weissert as Alice Beineke.
Unfortunately, the stellar acting presented by Rodriguez and Matiszik doesn’t quite make up for the more, dare I say, amateur performances. Shayla Finley, playing Wednesday Addams, was generally decent. The majority of her lines were delivered in the same register, which may have been a specific character choice, but often stopped the natural flow of a scene. Her obvious talents lie elsewhere, in vocals, and she stole the stage during her first solo of the show, ‘Pulled’, where she expressed her new view on life as a young woman in love.
The ensemble, in this case many Addams ancestors, gave the audience much to look at. The costuming was truly a work of art- each piece with detail and and a great deal of thought. Historical and timely figures occupied the stage during all points of the show and interacted accordingly with both the main characters and the audience. Despite their necessary contribution to the show, there were too many, and they often overcrowded the stage, distracting from the intended focus. However, many ensemble members were able to develop their characters without dialogue- an applauded skill in the theatre world.
In a musical sense, this show was phenomenal. Under the direction of Ms. Erica Breitbarth, the vocals were exceptional and the orchestra never missed a beat. The opening numbers, ‘Overture’ and ‘When You’re an Addams’, started the show off strong and instantly captured the attention of many. As a chorus, the language was clear and beautifully sung. Individual soloists were delightful to watch on stage as they displayed their own unique vocal styles and talents. The most commendable solos are the following: ‘The Moon and Me’ sung by Kyle Radomski as Fester, ‘Just Around The Corner’ by Julia Matiszik as Morticia, and ‘Happy/Sad’ by Emmanuel Rodriguez as Gomez.
Props to the stage management/crew, technical director (Nicolo Onorato), and sound engineer (Adam Murphy) for successfully developing a fitting environment for this story to be told most effectively and eloquently.
‘The Addams Family’ was the perfect show for laughing, swooning, cringing, and more. It was definitely a show worth seeing. Reagan’s theatre and music departments are reaching bigger and better things, and ‘The Addams Family’, is among one of the best productions yet.
2017 TOMMY NOMINATIONS
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance: Emmanuel Rodriguez (Gomez Addams), Julia Matiszik (Morticia Addams), Shayla Finley (Wednesday Addams), Kyle Radomski (Uncle Fester), Jazmin Reyes (Pugsley), Amber Weissert (Alice Beineke)
Outstanding Supporting Performances: Elijah Wall (Lucas Beineke), Katie Gillingham (Grandma), Drew Dickens (Lurch), Sam Locke (Mal Beineke)
Outstanding Direction: Carrie Baker
Outstanding Stage Management
Outstanding Costume Design: Kim Huber
Musical Photos
Corinne Kronschnabel
Movie Review: The Adams Family
Ema Nimphius
Many people have seen, or at least have heard of “The Addams Family” movie. In this article I am giving you a short overlook, my opinions, and a few anonymous thought. Out of all of the people I have asked they absolutely adored this movie, or at least found it amusing.
I loved “The Addams Family”, it suits my personality well with its dark outlook and its humor. Going into this movie I figured it was going to be a spin off of The 1964 Munsters, though some aspects are similar it does have a different story line, and a different feel the deeper you get into the movie. I am one to connect with the characters, trying to find a similar ground. Though the characters are abruptly introduced you are still able to grow a connection as the movie progresses; which I am very fond of.
Though I love the story of “The Addams Family” I did get confused half way through. (SPOILER ALERT!) As Fester starts to remember his true identity of being an Addams, it took me a few seconds to realize what was happening. I knew that he was the true Fester, but in the spur of the moment I did get confused. When I conversed with a friend who had just recently watched the movie as well, we both agreed that in the moment we were both taken off guard until it set in a few seconds latter. (READ ON!) Other than that minor detail the movie was great!
I think “The Addams Family” is an outstanding movie for being created in the 1990’s. And the picture, though not outstanding, gives an even darker feeling. I think that “The Addams Family” is a movie to consider even for a rewatch. You will always find something new, and like any movie it is a great distraction from work that needs to be done. On a scale 1 to 10 I give this movie an 8.5.
You can find “The Addams Family” on Hulu. I recommend completely!
I loved “The Addams Family”, it suits my personality well with its dark outlook and its humor. Going into this movie I figured it was going to be a spin off of The 1964 Munsters, though some aspects are similar it does have a different story line, and a different feel the deeper you get into the movie. I am one to connect with the characters, trying to find a similar ground. Though the characters are abruptly introduced you are still able to grow a connection as the movie progresses; which I am very fond of.
Though I love the story of “The Addams Family” I did get confused half way through. (SPOILER ALERT!) As Fester starts to remember his true identity of being an Addams, it took me a few seconds to realize what was happening. I knew that he was the true Fester, but in the spur of the moment I did get confused. When I conversed with a friend who had just recently watched the movie as well, we both agreed that in the moment we were both taken off guard until it set in a few seconds latter. (READ ON!) Other than that minor detail the movie was great!
I think “The Addams Family” is an outstanding movie for being created in the 1990’s. And the picture, though not outstanding, gives an even darker feeling. I think that “The Addams Family” is a movie to consider even for a rewatch. You will always find something new, and like any movie it is a great distraction from work that needs to be done. On a scale 1 to 10 I give this movie an 8.5.
You can find “The Addams Family” on Hulu. I recommend completely!