By Brent Engel, Contributing writer
The Addams Family” coming to Clarksville
Duh-da-da-duh, snap, snap.
Oh, c’mon.
Duh-da-da-duh, snap, snap.
You know how it goes.
Duh-da-da-duh, duh-da-da-duh, duh-da-da-duh, snap, snap.
You’re invited to join the living, the dead and the in between when “The Addams Family” is staged at 7 p.m. June 14 and 21 and 2 p.m. June 15 and 22.
The comedic musical is presented by The Changelings Theatre Company and hosted by Raintree Arts Council at The Apple Shed on Highway 79 in Clarksville. Tickets, available at the door, are $18 for adults and $15 for children and seniors. Kids under 10 get in free.
Mary Lang Fournier is co-founder and director of The Changelings, and “The Addams Family” is very close to her heart.
“I chose it because it’s fun,” she said. “I grew up with the TV show and we’d play ‘The Addams Family’ in the backyard.”
The production will follow the film version. Think of opposites in getting to know the twisted characters. What’s bad is good. What’s sad is happy. What’s painful is joyful.
Parents Gomez and Morticia – portrayed by Gene Nothaker and Colleen Lilley – have lived for centuries without changing, and they’re content to go on doing so. The plot thickens and chaos ensues when their daughter, Wednesday – brought to “life” by Hannah Lindsey – invites her “normal” boyfriend home for dinner.
“All ages will appreciate this show on several levels,” Fournier said.
Other cast members are Gabe Maier as Fester, Macy Whitcamp as Pugsley, Angela Maier as Gramma, Ira Garner as Lurch, Clint Mullen as Mal, Donna Grote as Alice, John Emery as Lucas and Aiyana Ferguson as The Moon. Six “ancestors” making an appearance are Wendy Straube, Terron Summers, Liberty Daffron, Gracie Lou, Guila Rodhouse and Tristan Mulloy.
And, yes, Thing will be part of the fun. Disclosure: The disembodied character will be depicted by Fourier’s left hand. “I always like to appear in a cameo in all of the shows I direct,” she explained with a laugh.
In addition to the musical, local artist Matthew Hemminghaus will display his work in the lobby, and will be in attendance for the June 14 show.
“He’s into photos and mixed media, with a delightful sense of humor,” Fournier noted.
Stage productions at The Apple Shed were revived in 2018 after an absence of about a decade. Fournier is thankful to Raintree for its ongoing support.
In the last seven years, Changelings has staged plays such as “The Last Romance,” “The Pepperonis” and “The War of the Worlds,” and musicals such as “Little Shop of Horrors,” “9 to 5” and “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
Mixed in have been variety shows, a murder mystery and individual performances. The troupe also has done an outdoor presentation of the Shakespeare spinoff “Comedy of Errers” at the Clarksville riverfront and the bard’s “Romeo and Juliet” at Fournier’s home, a former church.
More information about “The Addams Family” is available by calling 817-300-9796.
CUTLINE FOR PHOTO:
Mary Lang Fournier, right, performs in last year’s production of “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” She is directing and appearing in the musical “The Addams Family” June 14, 15, 21 and 22 at The Apple Shed Theatre in Clarksville. Also pictured are Gene Nothaker and Caramia Harrelson.