Growing up, I was more of a 1313 Mockingbird Lane kind of guy. (You boomers should know that one) For some reason, I didn’t tune into the Addams Family. But popularity for the finger-snapping strange family seems to consistently make successful comebacks. Starting as a comic strip in 1938, it has made werewolf-like transformations into a 1960’s sitcom, various movies, an animated series, and even a recent Netflix series about daughter Wednesday Addams. In 2010, it took to the Broadway stage as “The Addams Family - A New Musical”. And once again, I must guiltily admit that “tuning into” this show this past opening night wasn’t really something I was looking forward to…..And was I soooo wrong!

This production is a devilishly delicious array of off-the-wall fun. Even before the show started, Scenic Designer Steven Velasquez’s opening set was an intriguing feast to take in including eerie tree limbs throughout the house leading to ghostly, smoky cemetery grounds illuminated by an ominous moon. Combined with Ethan Newman’s creepy lighting design, the sets delivered that continually ill-omened atmosphere so required for this production to work. As the show progressed, the scene transitions and lighting varieties not only enhanced, but truly became the essence of this gothic setting.

Then that familiar finger-snapping theme music began, but didn’t last long for this musical has its own original score. I was delightfully surprised at the enjoyable light-hearted tunes as well as the very witty lyrics. The plot of this Addams episode centers around Addams daughter Wednesday who has blossomed into a young lady and finds herself in love with a young man named Lucas Beineke…. A normal young man. Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez, who promises not to tell her mother, Morticia; the woman of his dreams who he has never kept anything from. The story takes some crazy detours with all of the extended Addams family members involved.

One “detour” is Gomez’s shiny headed brother Fester who alternately acts as narrator, instigator, and love’s advocate. Robert Anthony Jones as Fester embodies the looney, dementedly charming uncle we have all come to adore. The show has a lot of laughs, but Mr. Jones as Fester had me raucously laughing out loud. He has a somewhat silly song called “The Moon and Me”, but Mr. Jones takes this number and makes it a comic masterpiece. If I’m going to mention standout numbers, then I must profess that at the end of Act One Christina Stroup as the conservative Mrs. Alice Beineke stops the show with her fabulously sultry and crazed rendition of “Waiting”. It’s also one of those “detours” you don’t see coming!

Matthew Richards as the young Lucas Beineke and Sydney Greene as the somber Wednesday (announced for this performance) play the youthful couple in love. Mr. Richards and Ms. Greene have an enchanting chemistry that works. Ms. Greene’s crossbow bearing, young lady and Mr. Richards’ nervous young man who’s afraid to take chances are a pleasure to behold as they both come of age and learn to love each other for who they are.

No Addams Family production excels without top performances by the family matriarch and patriarch. Stacey Harris as the sinisterly elegant Morticia Addams goes from vicious to vivacious in delectable fashion. It was a blast to see this usually stoic and aloof character break it down and get wild in her number “Death Is Around the Corner”. Carlos Lopez as the silver tongued Spaniard (complete with dueling sword) is as cool and debonair a Gomez as there is. He is the perfect match for Harris’ Morticia and does a really nice job of hectically balancing his duties as suave hubby and loving Dad. His funny, but heartfelt “Happy Sad” about being a father was a true treat to watch.

Terrific performances abound here, but that doesn’t take away from a talented supporting and undead ensemble cast who deliver deliriously dark and hilarious songs, dances and non-stop comedy! The Addams Family-A New Musical may have adult references here and there, but it is essentially a weird and yet very sweet family show. Young love, accepting one another, and enjoying life to the fullest are themes that run throughout.

Yes, they’re creepy and they’re kooky….. but we love them all the same!

“The Addams Family-A New Musical” will run through August 13. Tickets and info are available through the box office at (845) 794-1194 or online at fbplayhouse.org.