One of the problems I sometimes face as a theatre critic and pundit is my loud and vocal opinions are out widely known and circulated making it difficult for me to approach a show in a new way or have a change of heart about a particular material. I like to think I have an open mind for any show but there are times when I feel like I am fighting back against past me and my big mouth. Such an example of this experience happened on Friday when I got a chance to see the new production of The Addams Family at The Ruth (in this sense theatre criticism is very different from film because I am unlikely to see films I’m lukewarm on multiple times where that is not the case with theater.) It might sound like hyperbole, but I truly believe this team has crafted the best version of this musical possible (and I’ve seen it many times) but it is one of the best musicals I’ve seen this year in Utah.
The first aspect we have to discuss is the stage design at The Ruth. Director Jennifer Hill-Barlow and scenic designer Kacey Udy have expanded the stage beyond where it normally extends to with seats with tables surrounding it. The actors then interacted with these patrons and moved up and down the rows frequently making the entire experience feel immersive (I know that’s become an over-used buzz word but it’s true in this situation.) Sometimes this stage can feel a little bit like a giant black box but it didn’t with this design. It felt more like a theatre-in-the-round just with a smaller circle.
I also love how choreographer Sayoko Knode Peterson keeps the actors continuously moving throughout each song. The Ruth has become my go-to theatre company when it comes to innovative choreography and The Addams Family is no exception. They even bring movement into the “Full Disclosure” sequence which is a song that I loathe but them not sitting at a table reciting the dialogue made it as tolerable as that slog of a song can be. I also love how the ensemble adds movement to almost every scene in the form of the ancestors who dance in and around what is happening with the characters.
They have seemingly thought of every detail like they even give out little finger lights for “The Moon and Me” so when Fester sings about the Moon we are literally glowing as an audience along with him. Speaking of Fester there’s a reason why they have single casted the role with Joseph Paul Branca. He stole the show and is absolutely hilarious in the role. My pen wasn’t working so I wasn’t able to write down some of his wise cracks but he had us laughing throughout at some pretty-saucy-for-Utah jokes he told along the way. In fact, the entire cast seemed open to ad-lib and sarcastic asides that again make us all feel more invested than the book for this show normally allows.
Another single casted role is Benjamin J Henderson as Gomez and he has fun chemistry with Brittany Sanders as Morticia. He also gets my favorite song from the show “Happy Sad” and sings it with the sincerity the song requires. The cast can also be seen in video that is integrated seamlessly into the show that makes for a very memorable experience.
Now there are aspects of this show that still aren’t my favorite like the Beinekes get way too much time devoted to them but they did all they could to make even them entertaining at The Ruth. My only major critique was why they didn’t make Wednesday’s dress more yellow (it looked off white to my eyes) but that’s a nitpick.
If you are at all considering attending The Addams Family at The Ruth I highly recommend it. Like I said, it is the best version of this musical I have ever seen, and I left feeling way more entertained than I expected to be. The use of choreography and direction is particularly exceptional. It’s a night fit for even an Addams family member! This musical is playing through October 31st and tickets can be purchased here.
The Addams Family has music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice base don the comic strip by Charles Addams. It first opened on Broadway in 2010
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