Windsorites will soon get a sample of something that’s so creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky – you’d think it was all together ooky. That wild and weird family that most of us have seen in television programs and big screen movies is headed to the stage at the Kordazone Theatre for a musical so neat and sweet, it’s almost petite.
Cardinal Music Productions is staging the musical version of the hit television show The Addams Family for three weekends starting July 8 and running until July 24. Audiences will be taken into the upside-down world of the Addams home, where bad is good and pain is joy.
In this story, the ghoulish family is visiting the graveyard for an annual gathering of all family members, living dead, and undecided, to celebrate what it is to be an Addams.
However, the family encounters an unforeseen obstacle when Wednesday decides to introduce her new “normal” boyfriend Lucas to the family.
Fester calls on the ancestors to ensure the relationship between Lucas and Wednesday works out. They need it to work out or else they can’t return to their crypt. Fester has locked them out.
As Wednesday admits that she is falling in love, Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley worry about her changing ways. As the families of Wednesday and Lucas come together for dinner one fateful evening, chaos ensues and the two families find themselves admitting deep secrets and coming together in ways they never would have imagined.
Cardinal’s crew is staging this show after losing out on 9 to 5: The Musical, which is currently on tour and not allowing licensing rights. The Addams family is a perfect fit.
“I had to find a show that was available that suited the people I had cast,” director Joseph Cardinal explains. “Addams Family fit the bill nicely. The characters are similar to what we watched on TV and the Musical gives you the opportunity to learn more about each of them.”
The Addams Family Musical tells the story of love and friendship through adversity, with a comical and macabre yet poignant spin, which seems right up Cardinal’s alley.
“The underlying theme of the show is that love conquers all,” Cardinal expresses. “People find it engaging to see characters they have known for years tell their story. The show is also very funny and it does not get bogged down by taking itself too seriously.”
Cardinal, and his new wife Bayleigh, took in a few shows to bring some new energy to the Cardinal productions, which they will share directing duties on for their next production Sweeney Todd, which they plan to stage in November.
“We met during our second production of Heathers,” says Cardinal. “What helped our relationship grow was finding each other at a time in our lives when we were surrounded by darkness and emptiness, and being a light for each other. We also share the same passion for the arts, and that is so important. I have had an opportunity to see so many shows having been an usher at the Fisher Theatre for five years and as a current season ticket holder. I always marvel at the professionalism and the enormous team effort it takes to do the shows. I love their attention to detail and the way they strive for perfection. These shows exemplify what likeminded people can do when working together.”
The cast of 20 local actors is divided up into three groups for this production: The ancestors of the Addams, the actual Addams family themselves and the Beinekes. Lindsay Norris plays Morticia and Cardinal plays Gomez.
“I love Gomez, he is quirky and yet so honest,” Cardinal reveals. “He loves his wife and family and basically exists for them. I bring that honesty to the role. I see him as a sincere husband and father trying to make his way as we all are.”
The Addams Family Musical takes place at the Kordazone Theatre July 8-10, 15-17 and 22-24, with evening shows at 8pm and matinees on Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $30 and are available at the Cardinal Music Box Office at 2569-B Jefferson Ave in Windsor or by calling 519-944-5800.
For more information visit cardinalmusicproductions.com.
