Creepy, Kooky Addams Family Musical for Perth

THEY’RE creepy and they’re kooky – and they’re appearing in the stage musical version of The Addams Family during November and December 2016.

Presented by Dark Psychic Productions at Phoenix Theatre, in Hamilton Hill, W.A., The Addams Family features an original story as Wednesday, the ultimate princess of darkness and all grown up, falls in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family.

She confides in her father Gomez and begs him not to tell her mother, which means Gomez must do something he’s never done before: keep a secret from his beloved Morticia.

Things are destined to change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his parents.

“Everyone has heard of The Addams Family and what I love about this musical adaptation of the characters is that it has taken elements from all the classics,” director Ryan S. McNally said.

“It’s a show full of references from the movies, TV series and even back to the single-panel cartoons from the 1920s.

“The musical holds its own by being original, set 10 years after the movies, with Wednesday now 21 and in love with a so-called normal boy – but how do you define normal?

“It also isn't afraid to poke fun at itself with the writers clearly taking time to research the subject matter before developing the show.

“With its original story, the musical allows itself to remain true to the subject matter while also creating its own identity.”

The main challenge, according to McNally, is having four main sets in a theatre with limited storage space.

“The characters are also tricky, in the sense you need to remain as true as you can to the originals but, at the same time, allow actors to bring their ideas through.

“Character costuming was also a challenge I wanted to take on because I like to give everything my slight twist.”

Acting from age 13, McNally created Dark Psychic Productions in 2012, producing seven shows and four showcases over the past four years with many staged at Phoenix Theatre.

“With The Addams Family, I loved the music from the original stage recording and felt it really captured the feel,” he said.

“Who doesn't want to take on a show like this? The characters and story were certainly a drawcard.”

The Addams Familyplays at 8pm November 24, 25, 26, December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 with a 2pm matinee December 4.

Tickets are $25 adults, $20 concessions and children, plus transaction fees – book at www.darkpsychicproductions.com or on 0422 394 749.  Please note: the show contains haze and flashing light effects

Raffle and program sales, along with funds raised from other activities, will go to Cystic Fibrosis WA.

Phoenix Theatre is located at 435 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, within the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall.

Images: (top) Paul Reed, left, Holly Denton, Declan Roden, Callum Siegmund, Olivia McGavock, Charlie Martin and Ruby Reye are appearing in The Addams Family. Picture: Jarrad Sharman and (lower) The Addams Family. Picture: Joanna Kate Harrison.