Opening night at the Walnut Street Theatre was an absolute thrill, kicking off their 218th season in true, spooktacular fashion. I have never been disappointed by a Walnut Street Theatre production, and their run of The Addams Family: The Musical triumphantly continues that streak.
I grew up with The Addams Family movies and absolutely loved them, so I went into the theater hoping the stage version would capture that signature macabre charm. This musical captures the spirit of those films and so much more, translating their offbeat humor, darkness, and bizarre family warmth into a delightfully theatrical experience. The storyline—following an all-grown-up Wednesday Addams falling head-over-heels for a “normal” young man and begging Gomez to keep the romance secret from Morticia—is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, heart, and pure eccentricity.
The crowd was on fire on opening night, and the exceptional cast was feeding off our energy from the very first scene. You could feel the electric connection in the room as Damon Bonetti and Lindsey Bliven took the stage as Gomez and Morticia Addams, radiating sensational chemistry and comedic timing. Making her Walnut debut, Abbie Parker delivered powerhouse singing and a wonderfully dark, deadpan edge as Wednesday. The rest of the household was just as unforgettable—from Kelly Briggs’s hilarious Uncle Fester and Mary Martello’s mischievous Grandma, to Aren Duffy’s towering Lurch and the youthful energy of Kieran Gallagher and Tristan Monaghan as Pugsley.
It was such a fun time from start to finish. Under Chris Burcheri’s stellar music and vocal direction, Andrew Lippa’s catchy score sounded vibrant and full of life. Director and choreographer Richard Stafford delivered great dance numbers that kept the ensemble of Addams ancestors swirling across the stage with seamless precision. Paired with John Farrell’s atmospheric mansion set, Julie Duro’s moody lighting, and Mary Folino’s gorgeous gothic costumes, every single element fired on all cylinders.
Everyone needs to see this show! With great music, fantastic acting and singing, great dance numbers, and so much more, it is the ultimate production to catch this season. Grab your tickets at the Walnut Street Theatre before the production wraps up on November 1, 2026—you will have an absolute blast.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.