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Lyric Stage at MC presents the Addams Family Oct. 30-Nov. 2

Just in time for Halloween, Lyric Stage at MC is bringing one of the most popular families in America to the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall stage for four performances Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.

"The Addams Family Musical” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30; Friday, Oct. 31; and Saturday, Nov. 1; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, in the Aven Fine Arts Building.

The musical centers around the Addams’ daughter, Wednesday, who brings her new boyfriend to meet the family, resulting in a major secret to be kept from her mother, Morticia. With music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and story by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the production features all of creator Charles Addams’ most popular characters, including Gomez, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch, and even “Thing.”

Jamie Ertle, MC assistant professor of music and theater, who is directing the performance, said the audience will be treated to a finger-snapping good time.

“The Addams Family Musical is one of the most modern we’ve done,” she said.

The popularity of the Netflix series “Wednesday” has introduced the Addams Family characters to a younger audience. Ainsley Marler, who plays Wednesday in MC’s production, calls it a dream role.

“I’m grateful to get to play her for my senior musical,” the voice performance major from Crystal Springs said. “There are so many iterations of the Addams Family and people have an expectation of who she is.

“I want the audience to experience a new side of Wednesday. I hope my performance does justice to what Charles Addams originally envisioned for her, while also giving the audience a taste of something original from me.”

A Lyric Stage at MC performer since her freshman year, Marler has appeared in “Little Women,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Carmen.” She maintains the Addams Family Musical is her favorite show of them all -and one of the most challenging.

“I’m a soprano, so I’m used to singing higher melodies,” she explained. “Most of my songs as Wednesday sit in the lower half of my range. I’ve been working with my voice teacher on improving that part of my range since last year.”

Likewise, Slade Haney, who plays Wednesday’s father, Gomez, will be seeking to refine his take on a widely popular Addams Family character.

“Trying to develop my own interpretation of the character while remaining true to the original writing has been a good challenge,” said Haney, a senior biology pre-medicine major from Piedmont, Alabama. “Gomez is very charismatic, with swift movements, and stays true to his Spanish heritage.

“My goal was to keep all of those facets of Gomez while putting my own input into the character.”

A newcomer to Lyric Stage at MC, Haney has previously worked with Ertle at New Stage Theatre in Jackson. He said the show is musically different than any he has done before.

“Gomez has many fast-paced and emotional songs that require a deep understanding of the lyrics to perform well,” Haney said. “Learning how to use the lyrics to match movement and emotion has been a unique challenge, but one that I have thoroughly enjoyed.”

Although the Addams Family – and the Lyric Stage at MC production – blurs the line between whimsy and horror at times, Ertle said the foundation of the show is rooted in the most basic of relationships: the family.

“The characters are funny and spooky, there’s some slapstick comedy and lots of razzle dazzle, songs and dances,” she said. “But at its core, the musical is about two different families becoming one.

“Even the Addams love and care for each other and want the best for one another – in their own unique way.”

Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $10 for students and ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏ faculty and staff. Thursday is a “preview performance” – MC faculty, staff and students can attend for $5, and general admission is $10. Attendees of the Friday performance are invited to wear costumes of their favorite Addams Family members and compete for a “best costume” award following the show.

To purchase tickets, visit or call 601.925.3440.