Theater Review: 'The Addams Family' at Musicals at Richter in Danbury

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Musicals at Richter’s 2023 season has opened with a spooky, kooky and fun production of “The Addams Family.”

Musicals at Richter is Connecticut’s longest-running outdoor theater located next to the Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury. The theater is in the middle of a structural Renaissance and the durable new stage is coming along beautifully.

The musical comedy “The Addams Family” features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with classic music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Of course, the show is based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams. The Richter production is gleefully directed by Skip Ploss, with Andrew Gadwah as the music director and Lindsay T. Miller as the choreographer.
Ploss has been involved in community theater for over 30 years as an actor, set designer, director, board member and president of The Wilton Playshop.

What a delight to see Jacob Rogotzke in the leading role of Gomez Addams. Rogotzke is an actor, singer-songwriter and content creator who has performed in over 30 productions in Connecticut, including Patrick Star in “SpongeBob” and Shrek in “Shrek.” He proves once again that he can do it all.

Ariana Straznicky is perfect as the sultry Morticia in her Richter debut. The actress offers a surprise in the second act (after the female ancestors help her to transform the black dress “cut down to Venezuela”) which is more than the fact that her character has legs. Straznicky holds a Masters in Music from the Hartt School and shows off her magnificent voice in “Secrets” and “Just Around the Corner.”

Ted Schwartz has so much fun playing the role of Uncle Fester in his fifteenth production at Richter and it becomes contagious. The retired Forensic Scientist, who now teaches at the University of New Haven, has his one costume change for “The Moon and Me” and he is just adorable.

Jen MacNeil Danenberg (“Disaster” in Brookfield) tackles the hysterical role of Grandma in her Richter debut. In his Richter debut, Nathan Reilly approaches the role of young Pugsley Addams as the young boy that he is and I loved it.

Madison Bielmeier (Young Fiona in “Shrek”) gives a fabulous performance as the dark Wednesday Addams who has fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, performed really well by Nicholas “Nicky” Eklund (who played the title role in “Amahl” at WestConn in 2018) in his Richter debut.

Thomas Woodman ultimately gets to show off his operatic baritone singing voice as Lurch. Denise Milmerstadt owns the role of Alice Beineke, the mother of Lucas, and Michael Solano is just as good as her husband Mal. Solano returns to the stage after a two-decade hiatus from performing. Nicholas Byrne gets a fair amount of time on the stage as the odd Cousin Itt.

The Addams Family Ancestors are such an important part of this show that I will praise every one of the performers that don the ghostly costumes to back up the talented leading players. How fitting that each ancestor has their own entrance.

The group includes Jackie Alleva, Blu Arbesman (also stage crew,) Sarah Bollacke (NewArts’ “A Christmas Carol,”) Taylor Byrne, Ciara Cuneo, Isabella DiDio, Christian Eklund (“Amahl” at WestConn,) Newtown High student Alex Kirkman, Zoe McCartney, soprano Lynn M. Priest, April Smith, David Stevenson and Molly Tarnowski.

The revolving set pieces designed by the director work well. The character of “Thing,” performed by Bella DiDio, is very entertaining with its gestures (and dance moves) on a small table at the back of the stage. Sue Haneman served as coordinator and designer of many of the familiar costumes, with others provided by Renee Purdy at the Warner Theatre. The outdoor lighting was designed by Jeff Klein and MAR executive director Robert Bria served as tech liaison and curtain-speech giver. Grace Kerstin, a Halo Award nominee, stage manages at Richter for the first time and Viola Minor is the dance captain.

The great band is conducted by music director Andrew Gadwah on keyboard one, with some student musicians performing next to the professionals in the group. Although he has music directed and played keyboard in several local venues, this is Gadwah’s first time as music director at Richter. In the program he expresses his thanks to all of his New Fairfield High School students, “whether they be in the cast, pit, crew or audience.”

“Full Disclosure:” Bring a chair and plenty of bug spray. You can enjoy the Addams version of “One Normal Night” under the stars at Musicals at Richter through July 22, weather permitting. Friday-Sunday evenings at 8 p.m., with specially discounted performances on Thursdays July 13 and 20. Grounds at Richter Arts Center open at 7 p.m. for picnicking, with the show at 8 p.m. musicalsatrichter.org/tickets.php

Nancy Sasso Janis of Naugatuck is the membership chair of the Connecticut Critics Circle.

WHEN THE MOON SAYS I LOVE YOU: Enjoy a delightfully entertaining evening of fun with Uncle Fester (Ted Schwartz of Brookfield) and the rest of his relatives in “The Addams Family,” playing outdoors under the stars at Musicals at Richter in Danbury through July 22. Performances Friday through Sunday evenings, with specially discounted performances on Thursday July 13 and 20. Grounds open for picnicking at 7 PM with curtain at 8 PM. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Soft drink and snack concession on site. Tickets and further info: musicalsatrichter.org. (David Henningsen Photography)