By: Diya Ramesh, Eastern Regional High School, Voorhees
ABSECON, N.J. — If you are looking for “One Normal Night,” The Addams Family: School Edition at Holy Spirit High School is anything but. Full disclosure: You are in for a night of secrets, ghosts, and most importantly, love.
The Addams Family was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. In 2010, it was nominated for Best Original Score at the Tonys, and was an audience favorite, taking home Broadway.com’s Favorite New Broadway Musical award. The musical contains all the classic aspects of the Addams family, including their love for darkness and kooky personalities.
The comedy begins when Wednesday Addams, now grown up, seeks to marry Lucas Beineke, a “normal” boy from a cheerful family. Gomez Addams, Wednesday’s father, is forced to adhere to the wishes of both his daughter and wife, Morticia, and becomes tangled in a web of secrets. When Wednesday invites the Beineke family over for dinner, will her relationship survive?
The dark and eccentric characteristics of the Addams family are well known. Holy Spirit’s ensemble embodied these qualities through their characterization. Each member had a distinct personality, and no actor broke character. They reacted to every situation on stage, keeping the audience engaged and helping reiterate the story. Their distinct costumes made each character recognizable and unique, and they exuded energy in every scene they were in.
The comedy of the show was perfectly encapsulated by Gomez Addams, played by Jack Hierholzer. Hierholzer’s comedic timing was impeccable, and his accent never faltered. His chemistry with every other character on stage, particularly Wednesday, played by Violet Berk, and Morticia, played by Delaney Evans, made the family feel real. Evans also commanded the stage with her intimidating — yet motherly — demeanor and strong dance movements. In “Tango de Amor,” the chemistry between Morticia and Gomez came alive, supplemented by their perfectly synchronized steps.
The Addams Family is nothing without, well, family! Pugsley, portrayed by Victoria Gorka, effectively demonstrated “little brother” energy, and her clear tone and beautiful vibrato in “What If” kept the audience rooting for her. Grace Crosson, who played Grandma, had the audience in tears from laughter. Lurch, played by Peter Martin, also displayed perfect comedic timing through only his grunts, and his ability to walk on stilts stunned the audience. Liza Martino, portraying Alice Beineke, was able to flawlessly switch her persona from sunshine-y to angsty during “Full Disclosure.” Her exemplary pitch and honey-like tone made her a standout character.
Holy Spirit’s stage crew faultlessly set the scene for The Addams Family through the details embedded into their sets. From the clock actually changing times to the accurate family portraits sitting on the back wall of the home, the minuscule elements of the set elevated each number. Additionally, the makeup and hair teams captured the contrast between the gloomy Addams Family and joyful Beineke Family admirably.
Holy Spirit High School’s production of The Addams Family: School Edition was a night of laughs, jazzy dancing, and double snaps. The musical had the audience “Happy” to be there and “Sad” when it was over.
- Kathy Anne English’s “Paint America” Exhibition Displayed at Perkins Center for the Arts
- WATCH: What’s Good in South Jersey? Equip Training Ministries
- Intense Weather Patterns in NJ: Is This the New Normal?
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
