RELATED: Kooky cast shines as Addams Family
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Bendigo Theatre Company’s production of The Addams Family is impressive from the get-go.
The three-hour musical is, in many ways, a love story.
Gomez and Morticia Addams’ daughter Wednesday is all grown up and smitten with a nice, 'normal’ young man from Ohio.
Her romance with Lucas Beineke challenges the principles her family holds dear.
What plays out on the Ulumbarra Theatre stage is the drama, often comedic, of each of the characters adapting to change in their own peculiar ways.
It’s evident how much care and talent has been lavished on the spectacle from the moment Cousin Itt, shrouded in his characteristic mop of hair, asks people to switch off their phones.
The show is aesthetically stunning, from the costumes to the make-up by Alana Boulton to the ghoulish sets by Ken Wells.
In addition to portraying Gomez Addams, the play’s linchpin, the gifted Jason McMurray acted as costume designer.
He brings passion to the role of a man torn between devotion to his wife and love for his children.
Laura-Jane Leach is a feisty Morticia Addams, and Amy McMillan is powerful in her portrayal of Wednesday.
The trio leads a cast of 24 triple threats: they can act, they can dance, and wow, can they sing.
Ulumbarra Theatre is full of the voices of what seems like a much bigger cast when they’re all belting it out together.
Combined with performances by the 12-piece orchestra, led by musical director Joshua Geddes, it’s a pleasure to hear.
Choreography by Toni Brandie and directing by Vern Wall and Mandy Ellison effectively uses the generously-sized stage.
Dance highlights include the opening scene and a tango. But most impressive was the presence each of the characters commanded.
The Addams Family: A New Musical has not been widely performed in Australia, let alone familiar to Bendigo.
It was created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa.
The play takes its inspiration from the characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams.
The Origin Theatrical play follows Bendigo Theatre Company’s successful production of Mary Poppins.
“We thought it might be a good, fun one,” Mr Walls said.
Bendigo Theatre Company is staging performances from 7.30pm on both Friday and Saturday nights, and matinees from 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The show opens on Thursday at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available from The Capital website or by calling 5434 6100.