Created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa, the “larger than death” musical finds Morticia and Gomez Addams, played by Julia Burchill and Dakota Krouse, trying to navigate their daughter Wednesday, played by Swara Modi, falling in love with Lucas Beineke, played by Owen LaRue, a boy from a “normal” family. Little brother Pugsley, played by Hannah Schwallie, isn’t thrilled about competing for his sister’s attention either.
The musical also includes performances by Uncle Fester, Grandma, Cousin Itt, and Lurch, played by Atticus Fiorito; Baylee Foreman; Grace DeLisle, and Will Gonzalez.
Del Val’s production is being directed by performing arts teacher, Clinton Ambs and choreographed by dance teacher, Heather Fleischman.
Ambs said, “I suppose, like the Addamses, every family is a little bit strange. One thing I hope our students and every audience member takes away from this musical is that it’s okay to embrace and celebrate that strangeness -- that inner Addams.” He added, “The Addams Family is a show about acceptance, I hope that, like the characters in it, the audiences appreciate the power of acceptance: accepting change, accepting that we all keep growing up (our parents included), accepting people of differing lifestyles and opinions, and even accepting death (in true Addams form: with a wink and a smile).”
Showtimes are Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 4, 2 and 7 p.m.; Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m.; special performance for seniors on Thursday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at https://www.dvrhs.org/Domain/1207 or at the door. The special performance for senior citizens is free.