From left, Jeremiah Ogawa as Pugsley, Ryan White as Fester, Jill Vermeulen as Morticia, Devin Murphy as Gomez, Brock Weaver as Lurch, Hanna Numinen as Wednesday and Lilith Kontos as Grandma. (Forest Roberts Theatre photo)

Northern Michigan University is wrapping up a great season of theater with their lively production of “The Addams Family” at the Forest Roberts Theatre this Wednesday through Sunday and it is a stellar capstone to this season.

This adaptation of the beloved characters depicts every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a young man from a respectable family, and worse, a man her parents have never met. And if that isn’t upsetting enough, she goes to her father and begs him not to tell her mother! Gomez Addams, who has never lied, must keep a secret. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. This show questions what is normal? Should “normal” be the norm? Can’t we all accept each other? And, maybe most importantly, it revolves around the power of love in all its forms. Most people will be familiar with the Addams Family from either the 60s TV show, the original cartoons, or the more recent Addams Family movies. Whatever your frame of reference, you won’t be disappointed with this presentation of this beloved and quirky family.

Gomez and Morticia Addams have a love and marriage that most can only dream of. Utterly devoted to one another with passions that have never dimmed through the passing of time, they have a chemistry that transcends their eccentric views and practices.

Devin Murphy and Jill Vermeulen capture this spark and bring it to life on the stage. Jill has always been known for strong vocal and dance skills — the surprise here is Mr. Murphy. His voice and character were spot on and oh, can that man dance! His dancing seals the deal with the audience. He is Gomez Addams. His love for both his wife and his daughter, as well as his inability to say no to either, is clearly portrayed. A great performance.

Hanna Numinen, as Wednesday Addams, takes everything to a whole other level. Her physical portrayal of her character, her nuanced emotion (or lack of as called for by the character), and her superior vocal skills light up the stage in Wednesday’s uniquely dark fashion. Always a joy to watch onstage, this is may be Ms. Numinen’s best performance to date out of a very strong repertoire.

Alex Herman, as Wednesday’s normal boyfriend Lucas Beineke, is up to the task of playing opposite her. Possessed of model good looks and charm, his solid vocals and strong acting round out his performance. Their romance and chemistry rivals that of Gomez and Morticia and draws the audience into their story.

Taylor Kulju and Dorsey Sprouls play the parents Alice and Mal Beineke. Taylor gives a fun performance as Alice, rhyming away when stressed and really letting loose during the game of Full Disclosure. I won’t say more, you need to see it to understand. Dorsey does a great job capturing a normal businessman and father.

The two together have the essence of a couple long-married, but out of touch with themselves and the passions that brought them together. Jeremiah Ogawa lends the appropriate creepiness to the Addams’ youngest son, Pugsley. His character’s desire and actions to break up the wedding and keep his sister home provides the catalyst for the resolution of everyone’s relationship issues in the show.

Ryan White is fun as Uncle Fester, Gomez’ even more eccentric brother, and his character interacts with the audience, breaking the fourth wall and acting as an erstwhile narrator. Lilith Kontos and Brock Weaver round out the Addams’ roster as Grandma Addams and the butler, Lurch.

The ensemble of Ancestors is truly remarkable. Brought back from the dead one night a year, they are a strong group of performers. They range from a Spanish conquistador to a 20s flapper to men and women who would look right in the court of Louis the 14th.

Breathtaking costumes designed by the director, Shelley Russell and very strong choreography by Jill Grundstrom. This group really can sing and dance and they move the story along with the scenery. Great fun to watch this talented bunch onstage. Erin Colwitz, assisted by Parker Serino, have done a fabulous job coaching this whole cast vocally.

The whole creative team is to be congratulated. The set, designed by Vic Holliday, is alive and stately and creepy all at the same time. It never slows the action and captures the feel of the Addams Family well. Lighting design by David Pierce, the technical director, is moody and moving, punctuating the story and even individual lines. The costumes. Oh my. The COSTUMES. Ms. Russell has outdone herself with this production. I admire her ability to both direct a show and costume it — either is a full time job, but together…wow. As a whole, the visual package works well. It pulls the audience in and sets the mood perfectly. As mentioned before, Jill Grundstrom’s choreography is great and she gets the cast to deliver. One of the “oh my” moments is in the tango…wow. Again, I won’t say more, you will just have to see for yourself.

“The Addams Family” runs Wednesday through Sunday with evening shows at 7:30 p.m .Wednesday-Saturday and matinees at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at the FRT Box Office, all NMU EZ.

Tickets outlets, by phone at 906-227-1032, or online at www.nmu.edu/tickets. I hope every ticket is sold and every seat filled for this fun and fanciful show. The whole cast and crew deserve it and you owe it to yourself to see it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Martyn Martello is a local director and actor.