BWW Interviews: Sarah Gettelfinger Brings Morticia Addams to San Diego

Sarah Gettelfinger is no stranger to taking on the challenge of strong and commanding roles. She has played everything from a pistol packing girl from Oklahoma—Jolene in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS—to Cruella De Ville in 101 DALMATIANS—to Carla in NINE. Currently starring in the national tour of The Addams Family, she can now add the matriarch of the kookiest family on the block to her resume.

I was lucky enough to have a few minutes to speak with her about her life as Morticia Addams and the characters that have gotten her to this point.

BroadwayWorld: What draws you to these vibrant and dynamic roles?

Sarah Gettelfinger: It just happens to be what I’m drawn to. I think because I do have a very strong presence with my height and my look and the timbre of my voice...I tend to gravitate more towards characters that are not necessarily wallflowers.

BWW: Morticia is an iconic character, both in comics, television and the movies. From the tight dress to her crazy family there are some many things about her that people associate with her. Trying to be all the things that people associate with the sexy and somber could be overwhelming.

SG: The biggest stress for me is, you know, at the end of the day you can try and embody her sexiness; you can try and embody her individuality and you know the more subtle carriage physically and her deep voice. But the two really important elements of who she is that I have not yet experienced in my life is that she is first and foremost a wife and a mother. You’re playing this iconic role that has set such a signature physically and really distinct vocally, but you have to make believe of what it would be like to, at the end of the day, have my priority be my marriage and my children.

BWW: The role of Morticia does offer some fun scenes, singing, dancing and that wardrobe. But after traveling from town to town, even the best role can offer a favorite moment.

SG: I really, really have a ball with my partner, Douglas Sill. We have a really fun chemistry together and he is incredibly supportive and incredibly generous and just a really wonderful person to interact with on stage. And I would say my favorite part of the show every night is getting to try and do the tango at the end because it is such an exciting climax and it’s something that challenges me every night that I keep striving to make better.”

BWW: Before we conclude our chat, I do have to ask you about another character you made famous. Jolene, your character from DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, was born at The Old Globe Theater. It’s a role that was sassy and funny and a crowd pleaser.

SG: I honestly based her on sort of a mix of some of my relatives and some of the people I grew up around in Kentucky. Those fabulous crazy Southerners that are very into their jewels and appearance and being a lady, but they also clean their gun once a day”, she says with a laugh. “It was one of those where you really learn the lesson that it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. I still say that’s the best 11 minutes I’ve ever gotten to spend on stage.

SG: I am looking forward to San Diego because I miss Balboa Park like crazy. I fell in love with San Diego when I was there for SCOUNDRELS and I have family in San Diego, so I am really excited to get there.

San Diego is happy to welcome her back!

For tickets and showtimes to The Addams Family, go to www.broadwaysd.com.

Photo Credit: Patrick D. Kennedy (Pugsley), Pippa Pearthree (Grandma), Sara Gettelfinger (Morticia), Douglas Sills (Gomez), Tom Corbeil (Lurch), Cortney Wolfson (Wednesday) and Blake Hammond (Uncle Fester) in The Addams Family. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

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