DePauw Theater and the School of Music brought September to a close and welcomed October with a resounding success – their production of "The Addams Family." With the 2022 Netflix series "Wednesday" generating interest, the DePauw community has been excitedly waiting for this play to come.
As the audience settled into their seats, the iconic music from "The Addams Family" film series filled the air. The play began with the entire cast coming together to sing and dance to the song "When You're An Addams." Every glance, facial expression, and dance step was executed with such precision that it felt as if the cast had truly transformed into their characters. The play revolves around Wednesday Addams (played by Abby Napper ‘26 and Grace Buehler ‘25), who is in love with Lucas Beineke (played by Griffin Chyall ‘25). The Addams family is known for their macabre and peculiar nature, so the fact that Wednesday is in love with someone from a "normal" family creates challenges in their relationship and in introducing each other to their families.
After Lucas proposes to Wednesday, the two plan for his family to the Addams family. However, what was intended to be a simple dinner takes an unexpected turn, as their families are unaware of the proposal. Being close to her father, Wednesday secretly tells Gomez Addams (played by Grant Jackson ‘24), in the hopes that he will support her in case the dinner does not go smoothly. Gomez promised Wednesday not to tell her mother, Morticia Addams (played by Elise Martinez ‘25 and Zoë Kales ‘25) about the proposal. The characters' thoughts and emotions are cleverly conveyed through songs and dances, allowing the audience to connect deeply with them. The professionalism of the cast, combined with the stage lighting and music provided by the DePauw orchestra, harmoniously enhanced the performance.
The play reaches its climax as the chaotic dinner unfolds, with each character revealing their deepest secrets. Morticia becomes furious with Gomez for keeping the secret; Pugsley Addams (played by Ella Lichatowich ‘25 and Carly Mankin ‘26) feels left out as Wednesday's marriage to Lucas means she won't “torture” him anymore; and Lucas's parents, Alice Beineke (played by Molly Murphy ‘24) expresses dissatisfaction with her husband, Mal Beineke (played by Justus Morgan ‘26), for not showing affection as he did when they first got married. Frustrated with her family's chaos, Wednesday leaves with Lucas chasing after her. However, Lucas refuses when Wednesday suggests they run away together. This infuriates Wednesday, leading her to believe that he no longer loves her.
The cleverly constructed plot of the play brings messages about the complexity of mother-child relationships, the challenges of marriage, sibling distance, and love. These meaningful messages are also delivered with a touch of humor, bringing laughter to the whole audience. Overall, the play addresses difficulties that many of us can relate to in various ways. As an example, consider the character Fester (played by JR Brandhoefer ‘24), who openly professes his love for the moon. Despite being perceived as an irrational love, Fester's undefined sexuality adds depth to this seemingly minor aspect, infusing it with significant meaning.
The musical ended with all the characters resolving their conflicts and living happily ever after. The entire audience rose to their feet, showering applause on the cast and production team for their dedication and success. "The Addams Family" is not just a play; it is an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on the audience. I extend my gratitude and congratulations to everyone who contributed to the success of "The Addams Family," from the extraordinarily talented cast to the dedicated production team, and to the audience whose support made it all possible.