Two very different families meet in ‘The Addams Family Musical’ at ACT

What happens when Wednesday Addams falls in love with a nice, normal young man? Amelia Community Theatre explores that question in “The Addams Family Musical,” opening Oct. 15. Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen for Lucas Beineke, a young man whose family could hardly be more different from her own. When Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez, she asks him to keep the relationship a secret from Morticia.

Things become even more complicated when Wednesday invites Lucas and his parents to dinner at the Addams home. As the two families come together, secrets emerge, relationships are tested, and everyone’s definition of “normal” gets turned upside down.

For all its macabre humor and eccentric characters, the musical also has a sweet side. Relationships between parents and children and between Gomez and Morticia give the story an unexpected tenderness as the Addams family adjusts to change while trying to hold onto one another.

Shea Zaccaro and Heather Starling direct the production. The cast features Joe Zaccaro as Gomez, Haley Vonnoh as Morticia, Karina Jimenez as Wednesday, Emme Lucas as Pugsley, Geoffrey Moss as Uncle Fester, Judy Tipton as Grandma, and Bob O’Hara as Lurch. Craig Wickless, Sophia Loveday, and Anthony Rodriguez play Mal, Alice, and Lucas Beineke, with an ensemble of Addams ancestors completing the cast.

“The Addams Family Musical” features music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, based on characters created by Charles Addams.

The Addams Family Musical

Oct. 15-17, 22-24, and 29-30 at 7:30 p.m.

2 p.m. matinees: Oct. 18, 24, 25, and 31

Amelia Community Theatre

207 Cedar Street

Tickets are available at Amelia Community Theatre or by calling 904-261-6749.