July 3rd, 2012 
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and funny! The Addams Family, A New Musical Comedy opened with a full house to greet their offbeat yet incredibly entertaining musical. The idea of a musical featuring the dark, gloomy family was at first glance unusual, but the actors, music and plot pushed this show to the top. Production supervisor, Jerry Zaks has been quoted in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Applause publication as saying, “What we did was to maintain the truthfulness of who the Addams family is in terms of their values, but create a story that would make it possible for the audience to relate to Gomez and Morticia.” Addams family fans take note: everything you love about the Addams clan is spotlighted with exaggerated comedic antics and music to match.
Cortney Wolfson, playing Wednesday Addams, truly captures the dark, vapid attitude that defines her character. After meeting her true love, Wednesday brings home Lucas Beineke, played by Brian Justin Crum, much to the dismay of her family. As if falling in love with a “normal” man wasn’t enough, Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez, that they are engaged. Gomez, played by the unbelievable Douglas Sills, now faces his most difficult trial ever – keep the engagement a secret from his wife Morticia, or betray his daughter’s trust. The hautingly beautiful Morticia, played by Sara Gettelfinger, knows something is being hidden from her, and plans to find it out. When Lucas and the Beineke family come to dinner, secrets will be revealed and alliances put to the test with the ‘Full Disclosure’ game and song. Never a dull moment, the music and shenanigans continue well into the night with many twists and surprise guests. 
I was overwhelmingly impressed with the well-written story and caliber of actors. Each actor truly embraced the nature of their character, and had something special to bring to the set. Uncle Fester, played by Blake Hammond, Pugsley, played by Patrick D. Kennedy, and Lurch, portrayed by opera extraordinaire Tom Corbeil, were stars in their own right, helping to carry the story and punch up the humor.
If you missed the Denver shows, the jokes, puns and goofs that will leave you laughing well after you leave the theatre is still in the midst of its national tour, click here for future show venues.
