The Medford Panther Players present “The Addams Family,” an original story of a dark and ancient, but lovable family. The Addams Family has lived by their unique values for hundreds of years and Gomez and Morticia, the patriarch and matriarch of the clan, would be only too happy to continue living that way. 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, Wednesday 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. In one hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change.
Get a glimpse of this kooky, upside-down world of the Addams Family, where it is happy to be sad, joyful to feel pain, and death and suffering are the stuff of their dreams. Nonetheless, this quirky family still has to deal with many of the same challenges faced by any other family, and the spookiest nightmare faced by every family: the Addams kids are growing up! The musical, based on the classic television show of the same name, highlights the unusual family and their many, many dear departed ancestors who remind us that family is everything!
Veteran director and social studies teacher Michael Del Rossi once again leads this talented cast of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students as they bring this hilarious musical production to the stage. Del Rossi commented, “The Addams Family is a comical story about how one family who is rooted in tradition and history copes with the change that comes with growing up, finding love and accepting those that are
different from ourselves.” Audiences will delight in the antics of this crazy family whose bonds to family, past and present, grow stronger as they learn to accept the ups and downs and life and love. Del Rossi attributes the success of the Panther Players to what he calls the “perfect storm of administrative support, strong parental backing and outstanding, talented kids.” He adds, “we also receive tremendous support
from the community, which is important to the actors as they perform to enthusiastic audiences at every show.”
The Addams Family will be performed at the Lenape High School Theater located at 235 Hartford Road in Medford. The show will have a matinee performances (April 12 at 2 p.m.) and two evening performances (April 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.). Advanced tickets purchases (with reserved seating) are available at www.medfordmemorial.org or in-person at the Medford Memorial School main office; Monday through Friday at 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase at the box office prior to each show.
