Gothic ghoulishness is invading the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
“The Addams Family: The Musical” runs Oct. 2-18, bringing the exploits of the creepy clan to the stage, which is just one of the places the family has made its name.
Also depicted in television cartoons, comic strips, a 1960s TV series, movies, and on Broadway, “The Addams Family” is a pop-culture franchise heading for the historic opera house.
“Everybody kind of knows who they are,” LuAnne Pezel, director of the Valparaiso production, said. “There is something in the show that is going to trigger a memory for everybody. It absolutely addresses the progression of that family.”
Just as the Halloween season appeals to all ages, “The Addams Family” musical is both kid- and adult-friendly entertainment.
“It’s a wonderful time to run this show,” said Darren Serhal, who portrays Gomez Addams. “It’s kind of a kooky show. Anyone is going to enjoy this.”
It also is a show that gives Serhal a chance to fashion a certain speech pattern for the role of the chief male in the Addams household.
“I’m using an accent; I’m using a Spanish accent,” the 40-year-old Valparaiso resident said.
Regarding vocal aspects, the musical enlists Serhal’s singing talents.
“This has a lot of ballads for me,” he noted.
Serhal’s onstage partner will be Amy O’Brien, who portrays Gomez’s wife, Morticia.
“She’s very smart,” O’Brien said of Morticia. “Of course, she’s sexy. She’s the head of the family. Truth be told, Morticia runs the family.”
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Carolyn Jones played Morticia on television in the 1960s on “The Addams Family,” while a more modern rendering of the off-center mother was given by Anjelica Houston in the 1991 film version, which also was called “The Addams Family.”
That was followed by the sequel “Addams Family Values” (1993).
“Anjelica Houston is the image I have of Morticia,” said O’Brien, a 32-year-old Otis resident.
The musical adaptation shows Morticia and her loved ones going about the business of dealing with family issues.
“They just do it with a little bit of a darker twist,” O’Brien said.
The plot involves a grown-up Wednesday Addams — the daughter of Morticia and Gomez. Wednesday is known for being a princess of the night, but ends up being awash in warm emotions as she find herself falling for, of all things, a nice man from a respectable family — the antithesis of the Addams clan.
“She’s old enough to marry, and she’s introducing her boyfriend to the family,” director Pezel said.
The Addams clan ends up hosting a dinner for Wednesday’s oh-so normal boyfriend, and his parents.
The intrigue then begins to escalate. Promotional material from the opera house promises “a howling good time for the whole family.”
“We have an orchestra,” said Pezel, alluding to the source of the musical accompaniment.
Meanwhile, Morticia is more or less a conductor — a charismatic character who is key to the overall sweep of the play.
She needs to radiate a sleek, imposing physical presence. O’Brien said that being 5 feet 10 inches tall helps her give the matriarch that formidable air.
Additionally, learning some choreography enters into the role requirements.
“There’s some saucy dance moves in a lot of my songs,” O’Brien noted.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
‘The Addams Family: The Musical’
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave, Valparaiso
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17; 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 4, 11, 18
Tickets: Adults $21; senior citizens (59 and older) $18, military and students (with valid ID) $18
Information: 219-548-9137, www.memorialoperahouse.com