SPOOKY CHARM MEETS UNEVEN MATERIAL

The Addams Family: The Musical invites audiences into the delightfully macabre world of America’s favorite gothic household — and while the show itself can feel like it’s caught between a coffin and a hard place, Desert Theatricals’ production, which ran this past weekend at Rancho Mirage Amphitheatre breathes more life into it than any séance could hope for.

The musical’s biggest strength lies in its cast. The performers commit wholeheartedly to the Addams aesthetic — arch humor, deadpan delivery, and that sly wink toward the absurd. Charles Herrera as Gomez is magnetic, balancing his Latin passion with a touching vulnerability that grounds the show’s sillier moments. His chemistry with Morticia, played with elegant menace and bone-dry wit by Lizzie Sosa, is the evening’s dark heart; their tango alone is worth the ticket price.

As Wednesday Addams, Charlotte Upp manages to steal nearly every scene she’s in, capturing both the brooding teenager and the tender young woman testing the limits of love. Her voice, sharp as a blade but surprisingly warm, brings real emotional weight to songs that might otherwise feel like sitcom setups. Meanwhile, Jacob Samples, as Uncle Fester, provides a jolt of pure lunacy — his moonlit love song is a high point that reminds you not to take any of this too seriously.

Grandmama (Julie Schwaben), Lurch (John Corr), and Pugsley (Aiden Lizada) offer their own moments of joy. Grandmama’s kooky, unpredictable energy is a delight, adding an extra layer of wackiness to the family dynamic. Lurch, as always, delivers with his dry humor and towering presence, while his deep voice adds an unexpected richness to the musical numbers. And Pugsley, with his mischievous antics, balances the more somber moments of the show with his cheeky innocence.

The Beineke’s – Mal, Alice, and Lucas (Michael Hamlin, Kelly McDaniel, and Miguel Olivas) all deliver solid performances. Mal, with his ever-so-slightly overbearing demeanor, walks the line between a lovable buffoon and a well-meaning, if clueless, father-in-law. Alice brings a genuine warmth and humor to her role, perfectly balancing the show’s darker elements with her grounded sincerity. She also chews the scenery in “Waiting.” As for Lucas, his transformation from angst-ridden teenager to a more self-assured young man is both believable and charming, especially as he navigates the chaos of the Addams family.

One of the production’s unexpected delights comes from the ensemble of “Ancestors” — those ghostly figures who drift in and out of the action. Far from mere background decoration, they bring the stage to life with eerie precision and Ray Limon’s beautifully choreographed movement. Their harmonies enrich the score, and their presence gives the show a visual depth — like a living portrait gallery of Addamses past. Each ancestor, from the flapper to the conquistador to the bride, is fully realized, adding humor and texture in ways that make the world feel haunted in the best possible sense. It’s a clever device — and in this production, it works wonderfully

Where the production falters is in the book and pacing. The plot — centered around Wednesday bringing a “normal” boyfriend home to meet the family — feels more like a recycled sitcom episode than a grand musical arc. The jokes land unevenly, and some numbers overstay their welcome. The show wants to be both heartfelt and campy, but it never fully commits to either, leaving a faintly disjointed tone.

That said, Limon’s direction delivers undeniable atmosphere. The shadowy grandeur of the set (Music and Theatre Company, San Diego) and the gothic precision of the costuming (The Theatre Company, Upland) perfectly evoke Charles Addams’ original spirit, while the orchestra conducted by Joshua Carr offers playful creepiness that ties it all together.

In the end, The Addams Family: The Musical may not be a perfect piece of theater — its humor can be creaky, and its story thin — but thanks to a cast that performs as if their lives (or after-lives) depended on it, the night feels very much alive.

photos courtesy of Desert Theatricals

The Addams Family: The Musical
Desert Theatricals
Rancho Mirage Amphitheater, 71560 San Jacinto Dr, in Rancho Mirage
Fri, Sat & Sun at 7:30 (gates open at 5:30); chairs are provided
played October 24-26, 2025
for tickets, visit Desert Theatricals