Berkshire on Stage

Few musicals are as delightfully macabre, charmingly eccentric, and unabashedly theatrical as The Addams Family. Based on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams, the musical asks audiences to spend an evening with everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky family as they navigate a surprisingly universal challenge: what happens when children grow up and begin making lives of their own?

At first glance, it might seem like an odd fit for a summer musical. Yet the current production at Mac-Haydn Theatre proves exactly why the show has remained a favorite for community and regional theatres alike. Under thoughtful direction (Steve Edlund) and supported by a remarkably strong cast and creative team, this production embraces both the heart and humor at the center of the material while delivering an evening of genuine entertainment.

I come to The Addams Family with a particular fondness for the show. Years ago, I worked merchandise during the musical’s original Broadway run, watching audiences fall in love with the production night after night. That experience makes it difficult not to compare any subsequent Gomez Addams to the towering performance of Nathan Lane, whose charisma and comedic timing helped define the role for many theatergoers.

Fortunately, Gabe Belyeu rises admirably to the challenge.

Rather than attempting an imitation, he finds his own path through the character, capturing Gomez’s boundless enthusiasm, fierce devotion to his family, and effortless comic energy. He possesses the warmth necessary to ground the show’s emotional stakes while delivering the humor audiences expect. It’s a performance that honors the role without being overshadowed by its Broadway origins.

Equally impressive is the production’s Morticia (Madison Stratton), who emerges as one of the evening’s true standouts while filling the equally towering shoes of Broadway’s Bebe Neuwirth. The term “triple threat” is often overused, but here it feels entirely appropriate. Her performance seamlessly combines strong acting, rich vocals, and elegant movement. Morticia can easily become a caricature of gothic glamour, but this portrayal reveals the character’s vulnerability beneath the iconic deadpan exterior. Her chemistry with Gomez gives the show much of its emotional core, and she commands attention whenever she steps onstage.

The supporting company is equally strong. Particular praise must be given to the Ancestors (ensemble actors Delaney Bailey, Tzintli Cerda, Ricky Dobbs, Aubrey Dunbar, Gabriella Flores, Jack Gemmell, Bella Pavia, and Anthony Michael Velez), who often run the risk of becoming little more than decorative scenery in productions of this show. Here, however, they serve a vital function. They are constantly engaged in the storytelling, helping transitions flow smoothly and providing visual energy throughout the evening. Whether dancing, reacting, or subtly reinforcing the action, they feel like active participants in the narrative rather than background decoration. Their contributions help maintain momentum and create a sense of a fully realized Addams family world.

Visually, the production is a feast.

The set design (Alivia Cross) deserves significant recognition for creating a space that feels appropriately haunted without sacrificing functionality. The Addams mansion must simultaneously evoke mystery, comedy, and theatricality. This design succeeds beautifully, utilizing the entire thrust stage/theatre in the round combo, to provide a rich environment that supports both intimate scenes and larger musical numbers.

If the set establishes the world, however, the lighting design (Andrew Gmoser) elevates it.

Quite simply, the lighting is one of the production’s greatest achievements. The design expertly balances atmosphere and storytelling, creating mood while also providing spectacular visual effects. The use of lightning effects is particularly effective, enhancing the gothic aesthetic without becoming distracting. Throughout the evening, the lighting shifts effortlessly between spooky, romantic, comic, and dramatic tones. It is a masterclass in how lighting can become an active storytelling partner rather than merely illuminating the action.

This production also benefits from strong musical performances (enabled by Musical Director Connor Crotzer Scartascini) and energetic choreography (Kaitlyn Frank) that keep the show moving at a brisk pace. The cast embraces the material’s blend of absurdity and sincerity, allowing audiences to laugh at the Addams family’s eccentricities while still connecting with their very human concerns about love, change, and acceptance.

The one area where the evening occasionally struggles is not with the production itself but with the source material.

Like many viewers, I’ve always found The Addams Family musical somewhat uneven structurally. The first act feels focused and fully developed, introducing compelling conflicts and clear emotional stakes. The second act, by comparison, occasionally wanders. Certain plot elements (notably Uncle Fester’s ongoing romance with the Moon) feel less like essential storytelling and more like devices designed to fill running time. This observation is in no way a criticism of Jeffrey Jene’s Fester, who fully commits to the role and earns plenty of laughs as the evening’s effective narrator. Rather, it reflects a broader issue within the script itself. The show’s central family story remains compelling, while some of the secondary material struggles to achieve the same narrative importance.

Fortunately, Mac-Haydn’s production is strong enough to overcome those shortcomings. Through committed performances, exceptional technical design, and a clear understanding of the show’s emotional heart, the company delivers a production that highlights everything audiences love about these iconic characters.

By the final curtain, it becomes clear that this Addams family is in very capable hands. Filled with humor, heart, and enough gothic charm to satisfy longtime fans, Mac-Haydn Theatre’s The Addams Family is a wonderfully entertaining evening of musical theater and another reminder of the consistently high caliber of work being produced on the Mac-Haydn stage.

The Mac-Haydn Theatre presents The Addams Family. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Directed by Steve Edlund, Musical Direction by Connor Crontzer Scartascini, Choreographed by Kaitlyn Frank, Scenic Design by Alivia Cross, Costume Design by Kurt Alger, Lighting Design by Andrew Gmoser, Production Supervisor Eoghan Hartley, Props Design by Chloe Wiederhorn, Hair & Makeup Design by Summer McCormack and Sound Design by Sean McGinley. Featuring Gabe Belyeu as Gomez, Madison Stratton as Morticia, Jeffrey Jene as Uncle Fester, Carol Charniga as Grandma, Grace Maudlin as Wednesday, Jack Holick as Pugsley, Aryell Beaulieu-Shaffer as Lurch, Steve Taylor as Mal Beineke, Will Forrest as Lucas Beineke and Delaney Bailey, Tzintli Cerda, Ricky Dobbs, Aubrey Dunbar, Gabriella Flores, Jack Gemmell, Bella Pavia, and Anthony Michael Velez as The Addams Ancestors. Performances June 11 – June 21, 2026 at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, 1925 State Route 203, Chatham, NY 12037. For tickets and additional information, visit https://www.machaydntheatre.org/2026-season/the-addams-family-musical.