M’CHIGEENG—Like most live theatre companies, Burns Wharf Theatre Players (BWTP) have had a challenging few years thanks to the restrictions of the global pandemic, but with their latest production of the Marshall Brickam and Rick Elice musical comedy ‘The Addams Family,’ they are back in ghoulish good form.
The production was five months in the making and, according to veteran music director Ray Scott, represents the most challenging play the troupe has ever attempted. The Expositor was invited to attend the dress rehearsal at Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) on Wednesday, May 22 and what we discovered was a professionally polished and presented show that utterly refutes any nuance of “amateur” to be discovered within its ranks, including cast, musicians, sound, lighting and set design. What is more, the entire production, to use a vernacular technical term, was a complete hoot!
Gentlest of spoilers ahead—the story line sees Wednesday Addams, “the ultimate princess of darkness, all grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family, a man her parents have never met. And if that isn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez and begs him not to tell her mother.” Meanwhile, Uncle Fester has fallen under the spell of his own seemingly unattainable paramour and, comprehending the importance of love over mayhem, he compels the family’s ancestors to help ensure the young couple’s happiness–hilarity ensues.
Gomez, as performed by the Burns Wharf stalwart Peter Baumgarten, is the epitome of the tortured soul, torn between his devotion to his wife Morticia, performed by veteran Samantha Lynn Brennan (late of Debajehmujig Theatre fame) and a promise to his daughter Wednesday, performed by Cameron Meawasige. Mr. Baumgarten, who doubled as stage director, lauded his cast and noted the production was all the more amazing given the amateur theatre status of the production—we have to call a bit of BS on that, there was nothing to mark this production as anything other than a result of professional dedication and devotion to the craft.
“Our little theatre company put on its first show in 2008,” notes Mr. Baumgarten. “Sixteen years later we are still at it and loving it! Of all our shows, this one has the greatest level of complexity; with the most set changes, the most choreography, the most rehearsals, and definitely, the most make-up.”
“There are around 46 distinct musical pieces,” confirmed Music Director Ray Scott. “Some of them are short, but there are a lot of them.” There are also 23 scene changes and the set designs speak volumes to the ingenuity and creative power (let us also mention immense sweat equity) of the father and son team of Phillip and Isaac Gosse. Isaac also does duty as Wednesday’s love interest Lucas.
“What a privilege to witness the remarkable talent, creativity and commitment poured into every aspect of this production of The Addams Family,” said producer Lynn Dee Sproule (herself a scion of a redoubtable Northern Ontario thespian family that includes the late Bob Sproule and the irrepressible force that is Sharon Sproule) who also played one of the Ancestors. “The ingenuity of our creative team constantly blew us away. And you can’t find more professional backstage operators than Courtney Oswald and their team,” she notes.
Samantha Lynn Brennan may have stepped away from full-time work in the theatre for the classroom but she delivered the role of Wednesday’s mother Morticia with a delicious malevolence that was only exceeded by a mother’s deep attachment to children.
Zack Hill’s turn as Wednesday’s brother and favourite torture victim Pugsley was outstanding and delightfully expressive.
Alex Baran can usually be found behind the scenes as a vocal coach of the first order, but his Uncle Fester proved the one-time municipal councillor and entrepreneur has some serious comedy chops under the stage lights that would not be out of place on Broadway.
Then there is Grandma (or is she?) played with hilarious effect by another Burns Wharf stalwart Carol Labelle. “This is, by far, the favourite role,” laughed Ms. Labelle, who clearly enjoyed her on stage antics as the ancient ad hoc Apothecary.
Both Ms. Labelle and the gigantic butler Lurch take to the stage at the beginning of the production with a hilarious take on the usual audience admonitions.
The Beineke family of Mal, played by Wayne Murdock, Alice, played by Allison MacNeil and the aforementioned Lucas of Isaac Gosse played counterpoint as a “normal” family against the quirky Addams clan with tremendous chemistry.
Then come those who also served, and served so very well they did. The ancestors whose ranks were comprised of Saloon Girl (Margit Alberti), Flight Attendant (Angela Harper), Pilgrim (Audrey Jones), 18th Century Courtier (Harry Mink), Colonial Man (Jacob Pitawanakwat), Bride (Jane Prosser), Renaissance Woman (Debbie Robinson), Safari Hunter and Death (Tom Scott) and Flapper (Lynn Dee Sproule).
The “leadership team” are comprised of stage director Mr. Baumgarten, music director Mr. Scott, technical director Mr. Gosse (the younger) and producer Ms. Sproule.
The technical team are comprised of stage manager Courtney Oswald, assistant stage manager Amara Wilson-Zegil, musical accompaniment and sound effects Mr. Scott, sound operator Brian Dixon, lighting operator Christianna Jones, stage hands MJ Gordon, Alexa Gordon, Garret Charbonneau and Sebastian Mara. Makeup (and there was a lot of it in this production comprised of a bevy of dead relatives—and one Lurch of indeterminate status) by Valerie Hoy and Connor O’Leary. Orchestration programming was by Mr. Scott, while Christianna Jones and mom Christine Jones were on costumes. Sound and light design was courtesy of Mr. Gosse (the younger) who also was given credit for set design and building in the program, but who deferred accolades in favour of his father Phillip Gosse whose efforts were reportedly immense. ML Gordon wielded the brush that brought the scenes, including innovative trees creations, to life. Props were by Audrey Jones and Ms. Labelle, while Uncle Fester’s rocket was the brainchild of Mr. Baran, the goose by Carol Anne Dodd, Pugsley’s explosive box by Patrick O’Leary, Grandma’s pet rat by Audrey Jones, flying Fester and his rigging by Christianna Jones and MJ Gordon.
Manning the box office were Ann-Marie Scott, while Ruth Hill was front of house manager, publicity by Ms. Sproule and the entire cast, program by Ms. Brennan, photography by Mr. Baumgarten, cast nourishment was provided by Jane Prosser while the MSS Musical Theatre crew provided the ushers and canteen.
“There are many community members, schools and businesses on Manitoulin Island and surrounding area who have been critical to the success of ‘The Addams Family’,” noted Ms. Sproule. “We are deeply grateful for the rehearsal and performing venues provided by MSS (especially Principal Dave Wiwchar, head custodian R.J. Panton and faculty members Chris Theijsmeijer, Yana Bauer and Heather Theijsmeijer; Assiginack Public School (especially Principal Tracey Chapman and evening custodian Amy Holmes; and the Rainbow District School Board (especially Community Usage Coordinator Cathy Graham and the casual custodial staff who kept the schools open for us). We would also like to thank St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Manitowaning (especially Les Fields, Debbie Robinson and Catherine Hazlitt). Thank you to the Inn at Gore Bay and the Watersedge Restaurant and the Manitoulin Motel in Little Current for extending special rates to ‘The Addams Family’ ticketholders. Special thanks also to our generous sponsors. We also wish to thank Marilyn and Elwood Wohlberg. Their vision started Burns Wharf Theatre Players 16 years ago and their tireless devotion to community musical theatre has sustained it since. We are grateful for Marilyn and Elwood’s ongoing guidance as directors on the BWTP board. Last but far from least, and from the bottom of our hearts, everyone in ‘The Addams Family company,’ on and off stage, wishes to thank our families, friends and colleagues. Your immense support, encouragement and forbearance have made it all possible. We love you.”
Go see this production and then gather up your friends and family and go see it again. The Expositor plans to do just that.
