The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre of The Jewish Community Center (The J) presents the musical “The Addams Family” as the opening production of its 2022-2023 season.
Featuring a cast of local performers, “The Addams Family” opens on Saturday evening, Oct. 29 (7:30 p.m. curtain), and continues through Nov. 20. Subsequent performance dates include:
- Thursdays: Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: Nov. 5, 12 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sundays: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.
With a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elica and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (“The Wild Party,” “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”), “The Addams Family” features an original, comedic story embracing the wackiness of families.
In the story, the notoriously dark daughter Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has concerned her parents by falling in love with a “normal” young man from a “respectable” family. The story’s climax occurs when the Addams family hosts Wednesday’s boyfriend and his parents for dinner.
“The Addams Family” garnered numerous honors during its Broadway run, including a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the 2010 Drama League Award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre.
Returning to The White Theatre as director/choreographer is Guy Gardner, who also directed this summer’s production of “Matilda” at the theater. Gardner brings a unique vision to this production of “The Addams Family,” teaming up with musical director, James Levy.
“‘The Addams Family, although ‘creepy and kooky,’ are the most loyal family in the entertainment world,” Gardner said. “We should all strive to have a love as strong as Gomez and Morticia’s or have the unyielding support that they give their children and family members.
“One of the best quotes from Charles Addams’ cartoons, in my opinion, is when Morticia says, ‘Normal is an illusion. What's normal for the spider is a calamity for the fly,’” he continued. “We've approached this show that way — that normal is an illusion. We've taken a sleek, modern approach to deliver what ‘The Addams Family' would be in 2022. With an amazing design team, we've been able to create a one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to delight audiences.”
The cast of The White Theatre production of “The Addams Family” comes from across the Kansas City metro area with credits at various theaters.
In the role of Gomez Addams is Shane St. James, making his debut at The White Theatre. St. James has performed extensively in the metro area, including productions with Theatre in the Park INDOOR and OUTDOOR, Summit Theatre Group and Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre.
Heather Lewallen appears as Gomez’s wife Morticia, returning to The White Theatre after several years. Lewallen has previously performed as Penny Pingleton in “Hairspray” and Louise in “Gypsy.” She has also performed at the New Theatre Restaurant, Musical Theatre Heritage and Chestnut Fine Arts Center.
Other veterans of The White Theatre stage in this production include Pam Sollars as Grandma (“Cabaret”), Ben Renfrow as Lucas Beineke (“Surviving Hitler,” “Newsies,” “Mary Poppins”), and Ancestors Mandy Dulny, Abigail Knepper, and Alex Gumminger. Among the cast members making their debuts at The White Theatre are Mia Cabrera in the role of Wednesday, Sutton Hamm as Pugsley, Damon Bradshaw as Fester, and Aaron Hoffman as Lurch.
Visit TheWhiteTheatre.org to view the full cast list including the Addams Family Ancestors.
Now in its 18th season, The White Theatre at The J presents entertainment and educational offerings including a theater series, a concert series and a line-up of special engagements, all produced by The J’s Arts + Culture Department in a 500-seat performing arts community theatre. In addition to individual show tickets, season ticket packages are available for the entire line-up of entertainment at TheWhiteTheatre.org and The White Theatre box office.
This coming season includes the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” staged for the first time in Kansas City since its 2016 Broadway tour, as well as Lorraine Hansberry’s dramatic classic, “A Raisin in the Sun,” produced in partnership with the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City and featuring special matinee performances for area schools. The season will also include the second show of The White Theatre’s New Works Initiative, partnering with The Culture House, as well as a one-man show with the support of The Truman Library Institute. The season will close in the summer of 2023 with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Full descriptions and performance times for each event are available at TheWhiteTheatre.org. Auditions for various musicals and plays produced by The White Theatre are announced on The White Theatre website as well as its Facebook page.
The White Theatre provides ADA accessible-seating options, access without steps, assistive listening devices, and The J’s signature open captioning system at select performances, making live theatre accessible for all patrons.
The White Theatre is located at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J), 5801 W. 115th St., in Overland Park. “The Addams Family” is rated PG. Tickets are now available online at TheWhiteTheatre.org and at the box office, either by calling 913-327-8054, or in person at the theater. The White Theatre box office is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as 60 minutes before curtain on performance days.