March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 50 F

ASGT season continues tonight through September with The Addams Family

Addams Family ASGT
Photo: Alison Harbaugh, Sugar Farm Productions

Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s 50th season continues on Thursday, August 6 with The Addams Family. Based on characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel cartoons, this musical comedy depicts a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. The Addams Family features an original story, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, Big Fish) and a book by Marshall Brickman (Jersey Boys) and Rick Elice (Peter and the Starcatcher).

Performances are Thursdays-Sundays at 8:30pm from August 6-September 6. Tickets are $22 each. For more information, visit www.summergarden.com or call ASGT’s Ticket Office at 410-268-9212.

The tale centers on Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, who has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. It’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday’s parents have never met her true love—and if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything changes for the family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his “normal” parents.

Addams Family ASGT
Photo: Alison Harbaugh, Sugar Farm Productions

The Addams Family is directed by ASGT alumna Debbie Barber-Eaton, who holds a degree in Musical Theatre from Catholic University and studied the genre of cabaret at Yale. Debbie taught acting at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts for 15 years. She has worked as a performer and director in local and regional theatre and has directed productions for Dignity Players, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, Chesapeake Music Hall, Colonial Players, and Standing O Productions. ASGT directing credits include Good News! and On the Town. Onstage at ASGT, she portrayed Mama Morton (Chicago), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Pistache (Can Can), and Adelaide (Guys and Dolls). Debbie also previously served on ASGT’s Board of Directors as Vice President and Membership Chair.

As Debbie explains, “I’m thrilled to be directing The Addams Family for many reasons, not the least of which is nostalgia. When the TV series debuted in 1964, Wednesday Addams and I were about the same age. I adored that wacky world. I even told my mother that I wanted to be “Thing” for Halloween one year, and she made me into a giant hand! I also love how cartoonist Charles Addams took the norm—let’s say sun-bathing—and turns it on its head: ‘I think I’ll catch a little moon.’ What speaks to me the most about The Addams Family is their fierce loyalty to one another and the clan. I love how their definition of “family” is very broad and embracing (‘Define normal’), and their tolerance for quirks in people (‘He ate his own leg!’) is a life lesson for us all. I think ASGT audiences will adore spending an evening with this creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky family, and they are sure to enjoy the irrepressible wackiness of this show. After all, don’t we all secretly wish our families were this much fun? Full disclosure: Mine is!”

ASGT is an all-volunteer community theatre, and new volunteers are always welcome. To get involved, e-mail [email protected].

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