Broadway Theatre League Presents The Addams Family Musical

What do you get when you combine reality TV families The Osbournes with The Kardashians? Musical theatre’s The Addams Family. At least according to actor Jesse Sharp who plays the Addams Family patriarch, Gomez, in the touring production of The Addams Family Musical, coming to Huntsville May 3-5, 2013 as part of Broadway Theatre League’s 2012-13 season. I recently chatted with Jesse/Gomez to get the inside scoop on his show.

And Our Valley Events is sending one lucky reader to party with The Addams Family! Details at the end of the post…

Meet the Family

Morticia. Gomez. Cousin Lurch. Wednesday. Cousin It. Yup. This musical is all about THAT Addams family. The characters created by Charles Addams in the 1930’s as a cartoon and made famous in the 1960’s TV show (with this catchy finger snapping theme song).

What kind of musical do you get when you based the story on a family who’s interests are on the bizarre and the macabre? A pretty traditional one, according to Jesse.

“The Addams Family is a pretty straight forward musical comedy, lighthearted fun. It’s a great show with lots of fun and great music, ” Jesse told me.

And one that is sure to please even the toughest critics.

“Last week after the show a kid came up to me and said usually he doesn’t like plays; that he only likes to plays video games. But he loved our show.”

A ringing endorsement if you ask me! Jesse reported that this is a great show for families to see together.

Redefining Normal

And if you do have kids, this just might be the perfect show to take them to because of the show’s message.

“The message of the show is all about the importance of family: family first and family last,” Jesse told me. “And about expanding what your definition of what normal is and accepting other people and their ideas.”

And there if there is one family that defies normal, it would be the Addams family.

Take these lyrics from the song “When You’re an Addams,” describing what makes the family who they are:

You smile a bit the moment you smell blood
Give us shadows and give us gloom
You need to have a taste for death
You need to feel a little chill/ You have to see the world in shades of gray
You have to put some poison in your day

But Jesse cautions not to judge the Addams too quickly.

“Despite their strangeness, they really are a tight knit family. They just happen to be in to a bunch of weird stuff,” Jesse observed.

The Story: The Addams Family Musical

And even this family struggles with everyday problems. Like the perils of young love and the struggles of parenting.

Here’s a quick run-down of the show’s story:

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother.

Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. (courtesy of The Addams Family on tour)

Getting in Character

I had just one more question for Jesse: was his moustache (the iconic Gomez feature) real?

“It’s my moustache. I’ve grown beards before for shows, but never a moustache. It’s a new adventure in life,” he told me.

And if you’re looking for a new adventure the first weekend in May (one that’s indoors and air conditioned no less), make plans to attend BTL’s The Addams Family Musical. Because as Jesse put it:

“When you come, know that it’s a really fun show and you’re going to have a great time.”

About Broadway Theatre League

Founded in 1959, Broadway Theatre League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Each year, BTL presents a season of nationally touring professional Broadway productions and special performances.

Learn more about BTL:

Event Information

Dates and Times:

Friday, May 3, 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 4, 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 5, 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

Location: Von Braun Center, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
Cost: Tickets start at $37. For more information, visit Broadway Theatre League’s website
Tickets: You can purchase tickets by phone at 256-518-6155, online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, through all Ticketmaster outlets or at the VBC Box Office

Giveaway

1 lucky winner will receive: a pair of tickets to the Saturday night show, 2 free drinks from concessions or lounge and an invitation to be Broadway Theatre League’s guest at The Addams Family Cast Party after the show.
A Night at
The Addams Family