BWW Reviews: Two Snaps for Mercury's THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Having watched "The Addams Family" from its pre-Broadway tryout, to Broadway and then a national tour, I can say unequivocally that the Mercury Theater's production gets an enthusiastic two snaps for finally delivering the show that fans of both Charles Addams' macabre cartoons and the popular television show have been hungering for. It's creepy, kooky and altogether ooky and you'll laugh yourself silly. Under the direction of L. Walter Stearns, Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley and the rest of the family are in good hands. Stearns has enabled his cast to hone in on some truly inspired comedic performances. I've seen the show four times and still laughed myself silly.

The plot for those new to the show: Wednesday (the petite, but big voiced Dara Cameron) has fallen in love with a normal boy named Lucas Beineke (the charming Henry McGinniss). She has invited Lucas, Lucas' highly-strung dad Mal (Jason Grimm) and perpetually rhyming mom Alice (Cory Goodrich) for dinner.

The Beineke's are from Ohio. The Addams Family is from -well, in the musical their home is in the middle of Central Park, but fans know their world view is a bit darker. The usual trope of parents worrying that their daughter is growing up too fast is viewed through that unique lens and that's where the comedy lies.

Pugsley (Brennan Dougherty) worries that his sister won't be there to torture him anymore. Wednesday pulls the "daddy"card and enlists her father Gomez (a sublimely funny Karl Hamilton) to keep the true extent of her relationship with Lucas from her mother Morticia (a ghoulishly delicious Rebecca Prescott). Grandma (Amanda Hartley) offers both wisecracks and sage advice. Uncle Fester (a warm, funny and still very much odd Harter Clingman) wrangles a chorus of deceased Addams members (Sarah Hayes, Leah Morrow, Jared Rein, Sawyer Smith, Alexander Walker and Lucy Zukaitis) to act as a sort of Greek chorus, ensuring true love (and Addams Family values) prevails. And I would be remiss to omit the family's undead manservant Lurch. Jeff Diebold has managed to turn his character's moans and grunts into a virtual language unto itself that will have you howling.

There is a sweetness that comes through its twisted core. "Happy Sad," the song in which Gomez tries to explain how a parent really feels as his/her child grows, still carries an emotional wallop as does Morticia and Gomez's love ballad "Live Before We Die."

The costumes by Frances Maggio don't stray too far from Charles Addams' original drawings. Maggio is able show a bit of creativity with the ancestors (a puritan ghost with a scarlet letter and a jilted bride are particularly spectacular). Bob Knuth's economical scenic design is sufficiently cartoonish and never pulls focus from the loveable characters.

It all makes for a funny (and affordable) night of theater. Mercury has done it again.

"The Addams Family -The Musical" runs through April 5 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport. Tickets $25-$65. Call 773.325.1700 or www.mercurytheaterchicago.com.

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