Classic, Kooky, The Addams Family

‘They’re creepy and their kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky, The Addams Family’…if that doesn’t take you back to your childhood-then you’re probably a Gen Z’er and all the more reason you need to purchase tickets to see the Marshfield Community Theatre’s production of “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy”.

“We jump forward with the family (in this show) and we see Wednesday grown up and she has gotten herself engaged. The whole plot line is the family trying to keep a secret from the mom (Morticia) because she doesn’t know that Wednesday is engaged. And then the parents dealing with the loss of a child, being empty nesters,” shared Patrick Schuster, the Director of The Addams Family.

“We still have that typical quirky Addams dark humor throughout the show,” smiled Crystal Hilton Production Manager and Assistant Director. “It’s about love, everyone’s in love. Rediscovering love,” interjected Schuster. “It’s a rom-com,” laughed Hilton and Schuster. 

Schuster, an almost twenty year veteran of MCT was drawn to the show specifically because of the humor and cast size. “There is so much drama going on in the world that we could all use a really good laugh. And also, my wife and I are newly empty nesters, so I totally identify with Morticia and Gomez and what they are going through with their daughter stepping out into the world,” reflect Schuster. 

In the MCT world, hearing the three words “Patrick is directing” always draws a crowd, but this show is unique in the fact that the music director is a name Marshfield natives have heard before: Carol Wilson, retired MHS choir director, has also jumped in head first to help the production team bring this show to life. “We teamed up twenty years ago for the first time. It’s been a decade or more since we’ve worked together. So as soon as I found out that I was going to direct I called her instantly. It’s like a reunion,” laughed Schuster.

Additionally, the show choreography has been a collaboration of efforts. “We have at least three people doing choreography; Emily Lawson, Carolyn Billingsley (who is also playing Wednesday), and I’m doing some musical staging as well.” 

“We’ve got a cast of 10 speaking actors and 13 ancestors, which are so fun; it’s one of the best choruses- they all get individual characters, they are on stage a lot with some great musical numbers,” shared Schuster with excitement. “They (the ancestors) are really my favorite part of the show.” This show is comprised of one youth (age 11) and adults up to age 50. 

“We have someone who drives here from Mount Vernon to be a part of our cast,” explained Hilton. “It’s a big deal, with gas being so expensive, and we are still getting people here from Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Strafford-it shows that people are really hungry and interested in doing theatre right now. Especially comedies,” reflected Schuster. “You’re going to see a lot of faces that are familiar to Marshfield Community Theatre that you may not have seen here in a while,” added Hilton.

Aside from the excitement of the show itself, the MCT membership committee is excited to include a fun “members night” after the Friday performance. “Members night is the night of the show that we celebrate our MCT membership. Members will have a special opportunity to have their photo taken in the Addams Family graveyard. Members will be able to come up onto the stage Friday night after the show and we will take a picture of them with their family,” shared Hilton. “Members get discounts on our education classes, it gets you into our special member night events at all our shows and voting rights at the annual meeting each year.” 

To become an MCT member and to grab tickets to this show visit the marshfieldtheatre.org website. The Addams Family performs on June 23-25 at 7:00 p.m. and June 26 at 3:00 p.m. Advanced ticket pricing is $12 for adults and $6 for youth under 18. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $15 adults and $7.50 for youth. 

“If you love any embodiment of The Addams Family, you’re going to love this show. It’s got the music and the dance added, but our cast really has just taken on the personalities and everything that you love about the Addams Family characters, you’re going to see on the stage. Except for cousin It,” laughed Hilton and Schuster.