The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will present the hit comedy “The Addams Family: A New Musical.” With a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, the show is based on “The Addams Family” characters created by Charles Adams. Performances are Friday, April 5, Saturday, April 6, Thursday, April 11, Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 7 and Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. There also will be a special matinee at 11 a.m. on April 10. All performances will be held in the Brodbeck Concert Hall at the Center for the Arts on the UW-Platteville campus.
In the musical, Wednesday Addams falls in love with Lucas Beineke, a “normal boy” from a “respectable” family and is engaged to be married. Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez Adams, asking him to keep her secret from his wife, Morticia. Things take a turn when both families come together on one fateful night for a dinner.
According to Ann Farrelly, professor of theatre and director of the production, “This musical is a lot of fun, and The Addams Family has had a comeback of sorts, with popular television shows like ‘Wednesday.’ Many of our students also encountered the musical in high school, so there is great enthusiasm for this project. Do yourself a favor and come and see these students in action. Laughter is good for the soul.”
The cast includes Monardo Faria as Gomez, Malia Eugene as Morticia, Kyla Pluemer as Wednesday, Shaun DeVries as Lucas, Jay DeWees as Fester, Jamie Wodack as Pugsley, Grace Silvestri as Alice, Luke Wieland as Mal, Olivia Laughlin as Grandma, and Jordan Larson-Sell as Lurch. The ensemble of Ancestors includes Merlin Larsen, Max Konop, Alyssa Jappinen, Tatianna McGruder, Tasha Reynolds, Rhianna Muir, Madison DeLashmutt, Ky Kruel, Elijah Fuchs, Rawley Schulz, and Shelbi Endres, who also acts as the production’s dance captain.
Added Farrelly, “I am so proud of this cast. This show is edgy and fun, and the musical numbers are epic. They’ve worked so hard, and that hard work has definitely paid off.”
Joining Farrelly on the production team are UW-Platteville faculty and staff Connie SaLoutos Furlan, choreographer; Jeffrey Strange, scenic designer, Sarah Strange, costume designer, and Josh Lawyer, lighting designer. UW-Platteville theatre alumni involved in the production include Lizzie Haller as the music director and Chris Kott as the sound designer. Students on the production team include Jessica Kott as stage manager, Anna Fassbinder as hair and makeup designer, and Sydney Byas as marketing intern. Stephanie Klein, associate director of choral activities at UW-Platteville, will be conducting the pit.
“This team is incredible. I am so lucky to have such talented colleagues and students. As with all of our productions, students from all over campus, in all three colleges, are represented both onstage, backstage and in the pit. Of the over 50 students involved in 'The Addams Family,' almost half represent BILSA and EMS. It truly is one of the largest cross-campus collaborations. Non-majors continue to make a major impact, and that is something that sets UW-Platteville apart from other schools — the opportunity for all students to participate in a variety of interests regardless of their degree pursuits,” said Farrelly.
Tickets for the production are $15 for general admission and $7 for students (price includes $2 box office transaction fee). For tickets and information, contact the University Box Office at 608-342-1298 or online at tickets.uwplatt.edu. Ticket prices are the same no matter how they are purchased. Plans are subject to change based on health and safety measures that may be in place at the time of the event.