Last weekend, audiences were treated to a hilarious and heartwarming production of The Addams Family musical, performed by the talented cast of Lockport Township High School. Based on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams, the show brought spooky charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and powerhouse vocals to the stage.

The musical follows Wednesday Addams, the dark and fiercely independent daughter of the famously gruesome family, as she reveals a shocking secret: she’s fallen in love with a sweet, respectable boy from a “normal” family. As the two families come together for one unforgettable dinner, comedy and chaos ensue.

From the moment the curtain rose, the audience was hooked. Jacob Habas delivered a hilarious and heartfelt performance as Gomez Addams, balancing over the top comedy with touching moments of fatherly love. Olivia Sweeney was delightfully deadpan and commanding as Morticia, exuding elegance and wit. Meanwhile Tara Mastorakos brought a perfect mix of toughness and vulnerability to the role of Wednesday. She wowed the audience with powerful vocals in songs like “Pulled”.

The entire cast gave standout performances. Ben Forbes was a comedic scene-stealer as Uncle Fester. Gavin Klaus earned big laughs from the audience as Pugsley Addams, as did Lilah Gonzalez as Grandma. Brodie Bartels made his non-verbal character, Lurch, stand out with hilarious body language. He even surprised the audience by bursting out into song at the end of the musical with an amazing performance of “Move Toward the Darkness.”

The Beinke family added a wonderfully awkward and endearing dynamic to the show. Lucas Beineke, played by Soren Moan, was charmingly nervous and earnest, portraying the classic “normal” boyfriend caught between two very different worlds. Jack Selle, playing Mal Beineke, brought dry humor and irritated dad energy to the stage, reacting hilariously to the Addams’ eccentricities. Gabby Costello, who portrayed Alice Beineke, stole several scenes with her bubbly personality and unexpected emotional depth. Her dramatic shift in “Waiting” showcased both her comedic and vocal talents. This performance was my personal favorite as well as many others in the audience. Her powerful vocals and the emotional intensity she brought to the stage literally gave me goosebumps about ten times that night. 

In addition to the stellar performances, the production was visually stunning. The set perfectly captured the eerie grandeur of the Addams mansion, and the costumes stayed true to the iconic look of each character. The lighting added just the right amount of mystery and magic to every scene. Not to mention the choreography, performed by the incredibly talented ensemble, was fun, sharp and full of personality. 

Perhaps most impressive was the vocal strength of the cast. Every musical number was delivered with confidence, clarity and emotion. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and laughter throughout the performance, clearly enjoying every moment. 

In short, The Addams Family was a spooky delight from start to finish. It was a fantastic production that highlights the incredible talent, hard work, and dedication of the Lockport Township High School cast and crew. From the hilarious performances to the impressive vocals and creative staging, every moment was a pleasure to watch. If you ever get the chance to see one of our school musicals, I highly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed!