The Addams Family
The creepiest and kookiest family to ever haunt the television was recently reborn on the Broadway stage, making for a spooky, yet humorous night of theatre.
The Addams Family, which premiered in 2010, is a musical based on the original comic strip by Charles Addams. The musical, which is firmly planted in the macabre, features torture devices (the rack), a family reunion in a graveyard and magic potions.
The premise of the musical is simple: Wednesday Addams is all grown up (she's in her early 20s) and she wants to introduce her family to her boyfriend ... who just so happens to be normal. What follows is the Addamses trying to fake normalcy, with varying degrees of failure, and Wednesday showing up to the family dinner in a yellow dress in lieu of her Goth-tastic black dress.
Sara Gettelfinger, 34, who plays the role of Morticia — the mother, said the situation with Wednesday creates a boiling point between Morticia and her husband Gomez's relationship when it's found out that Gomez had prior knowledge of Wednesday's boyfriend.
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The Addams Family Wharton Center, East Lansing
Jan. 31-Feb. 5, show times at 1, 2, 6:30 7:30 and 8 p.m.
$70-$30
whartoncenter.com, (517) 432-2000
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"When the play begins Gomez is the only one that Wednesday confides in," Gettelfinger said. "In terms of Gomez and Morticia's relationship, this is a couple that is incredibly close, incredibly passionate and they don't keep secrets from one another. So as the play progresses, things get rather complicated because in this particular situation Gomez not only kept a secret from Morticia, but a pretty major secret."
Gettelfinger said she prepared for the iconic role of Morticia by blending what people expect from the character with her own sensibilities.
"I try to really work from my own blueprint as far as what I can bring to the role based on what my sensibilities are" she said. "It ended up being a really interesting process as far as exploring Morticia as being a very sexy, independent, unique woman but at the same time a mother and a wife who's just doing the best she can to have a successful family life."
When preparing for the musical the actors were told to study the vintage comic strips by Charles Addams, which appeared between 1938 and 1988 in The New Yorker.
"I think it was a really smart way to get us familiarized with the characters and see what a lot of their characteristics were, about who these people were without being influenced by another actor's performance," Gettelfinger said.
The Addams' eerilybeautiful house was another element that had to be introduced into the mix. The house needed to be elegant, yet look haunted.
"It is really beautiful and vast," Gettelfinger said. "And even though we use quite a bit of drops, the artwork and the coloring really gives you the impression of the grand old house."
With so many creative outlets for the Addams Family, it is little wonder that they've been able to amass quite a few dedicated fans. While some remember the original comic or the TV show, others saw the movies and played the video game. But have the die-hard fans been showing up for the musical?
"Absolutely," Gettelfinger said. "Especially around Halloween we had many people that would come to the theater and their families were dressed in costumes. We've been fortunate because there are a lot of people that are really big fans that have really enjoyed it. We've had a lot of enthusiasm and people have had a good time."
Pictured: Cortney Wolfson (Wednesday) and Patrick D. Kennedy (Pugsley) in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)
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Other Theatre Events / By Nicole Rico
Romantic Fools
Holt & Dimondale Community Players, Holt / Feb. 2-4 & 10-11 / $8-$12 / hdcptheater.com
Mother Courage and Her Children
Fairchild Theatre, MSU Department of Theatre, East Lansing / Feb. 7-12 / $10-$13 / theatre.msu.edu
Robin Hood
Hannah Community Center, All-of-us Express Children's Theatre, East Lansing / Feb. 10-11 & 17-18 / $5-$7 / allofusexpress.org
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Black Box Theatre, Lansing Community College, Lansing / Feb. 10-14 & 17-18 / $5-$10 / lcc.edu/cma/events
Smokey Joe's Café
Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing / Feb. 16-19 & 23-26 / riverwalktheatre.com
This Musical Revue of the Songs of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller is the longest running musical revue in Broadway history. It showcases thirty-nine classics such as Love Potion Number Nine, Stand By Me, Hound Dog, and On Broadway.
Blat! Pack's JYoung the General teaches history
Since the summer of 2008, a collective force of Lansing hip-hop heads have been pooling their resources in hopes of revitalizing the rap scene in Mid-Michigan. That rhythmical force is The Blat! Pack, a multi-faceted crew of 10 people, a mish mash of emcees, vocalists, producers, DJs, artists, radio personalities and writers.
Area emcee JYoung the General (aka Jahshua Smith) was among the BLAT Pack's busiest artists last year. He played a high-energy show at SXSW, received mentions from XXL and MTV and dropped the Black History Year Installment 2 EP, a free download at blatpack.com.
REVUE spoke with JYoung — here's what he had to say.
Tell us about Black History Year Installment, what were you going for on the EP?
What we did with volume two is similar to its predecessor, we gave a scholastic feel to the music, where you can teach people, regardless of their background or race, something they usually wouldn't learn about black history in text books.
What are some of the topics covered on the EP?
We touch on slavery as a concept of house workers, versus ones who worked out in the field. We also touch on the gentrification of urban areas like Detroit and Chicago. We talk about the colors of the Pan-African flag: red, black and green ... It's about bringing concepts to life. If you're in school and read it on paper, that's cool. But for a lot of people, giving it a beat and lyricism to it brings those lessons to life for a people who normally wouldn't care.
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The BLAT! Pack Showcase Featuring JYoung the General, Philthy, Red Pill, Chell and Yellokake, DJ Carmine, by Hir-O and Kuroioto! |
What emcees have been an influence on you?
A lot of older stuff — like NAS, Jay Z, AZ, and Raekwon. But lately I also like the tonality of Drake's music. With Black History Month it's a lyrical approach. I take nods from Elzhi from Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9", and AZ. Nas' influence never strays far, his multiple-syllable rhyme style.
What do you think about current radio hip hop?
It's good and bad. You have to take all that with a grain of salt. For me, I can say that I identify with about 20 percent of what's on the radio. There are some things I like, but I try not to universally take a dump on any style of music. I'm not all underground and rebellious, but I'm not poppy and mainstream. There's a balance.
How would you describe your stage show?
I like to use every part of the stage. I've been on top of the speakers, there's been times I've hopped on the bar and walked across it, I've crowd surfed. But I have to admit, the first time I tried stage diving I fell right on my back! It's all about theatrics, you have to make them remember you, but it has to be something genuine.
How do you pick and choose your beats?
It just has to hit me. My favorite producer of all time would be Timbaland because of the drums, but number two would be Premier, J Dilla and Pete Rock are on the list. All of those guys have something that's catchy about them. When I work with a lot of underground producers, I have to imagine a concept when I hear the beat. I always have beats, but realistically very few get to the point where I decide, ‘This is a record I want to make.'
Love in Lansing: A Practical Guide to Valentine's Day
For those in Lansing who plan to dip into the pocketbook on Valentine's Day, REVUE Mid-Michigan has got you covered. No matter how much dough you plan to blow on your sweetheart, we've listed a few options for a unique date night, and a couple ways to treat yourself (for the single folks). 
The 1% Date If your white-gloved driver were going slightly over 30 mph, or if you were walking your poodles a bit briskly, you might miss The Knight Cap, which isn't so much a hole-in-the-wall as it is a hidden gem. This tiny, quaint restaurant operates with the painstaking caliber of a bygone era. The bar is populated by good ol' boys who would be puffing cigars if it weren't for the smoking ban. The wine selection is extensive and lists bottles priced upwards of $200. But the proof is in the chef's treatment of meat and seafood: the filet mignon is seasoned with special herbs and spices and is accompanied by a house-made Béarnaise sauce, and the lobster bisque strikes the right balance of richness. The hostess will take your coat when you walk in, and the wait staff is knowledgeable, warm and seemingly aware that diners come to The Knight Cap to experience a steakhouse the way the upper echelon intended to be.
The Knight Cap: 320 E Michigan Ave., Lansing; (517) 484-7676, theknightcap.com
Crushing amounts of student debt? Can't afford rent? Health insurance still tenuous? Who would want to date you, anyway? Just kidding — you're probably really charming. Prove that charisma really is your most valuable asset when you bust a move on the skating rink and are able to laugh at yourself when you fall on your face. At EDRU Skate-a-Rama, you and your date will have access to a roller rink and some old-school skates for about $16. Remember to hold hands when a heartfelt Backstreet Boys song comes on. Notice how beautiful your date's eyes look in the shimmering refractions of the disco ball.
Skatarama: 1891 N. Cedar St., Holt; (517) 699-2001, skatarama.com
When you and your beloved are alone, you use mathematical or scientific puns to express your attraction to each other. When you're arguing, you make use of extended metaphors and allusions to archetypal characters that support whatever questionable behavior you're in trouble for. Your glasses are taped at the bridge and sometimes you exhibit a nervous tic, but the joke is on us, since you'll be making six figures within the next five years. To get your date hot and bothered, lay beneath the night sky at Abram's Planetarium as the soothing voice of an astronomy expert guides you through the galaxy. Maybe play footsie a bit when the Virgo constellation is pointed out. Afterwards, visit the Michigan State University Museum to check out the "On Equal Terms" exhibition beginning Feb. 5, which celebrates women in construction and heavy industry.
Planetarium: Farm Lane and Shaw Lane, MSU campus. Shows approximately every 20 minutes. (517) 355-4672. $3. Museum: West Circle Dr. and Auditorium Rd., MSU campus. (517) 355-7474. Free.
Down a few PBRs in the basement of your co-op before swinging by to pick up your date on your Honda café racer. Polish your black plastic glasses with the soft fabric of your organic, sustainably grown cotton V-neck and peer dashingly over your mustache at your date as he or she floats down the steps in a pair of distressed vintage boots. Share some beer with your date. Because hipsters are the most educated eaters on the planet, opt for a shopping trip to the East Lansing Food Co-Op instead of spending your parent's cash at a restaurant with suspicious practices. Gather a medley of seasonal vegetables and grains with complicated names to assemble the quasi-Indian dish you're famous for making. By now you should be drunk. After your romantic meal, play Scrabble while listening to Neutral Milk Hotel.
ELFCO: 4960 Northwind Dr., East Lansing; elfco.coop, (517) 337-1266
Scavenger Hunt, 503 E. Grand River, East Lansing, (517) 337-1221; Kirabo, 225 E. Grand River, East Lansing, kirabofairtrade.com, (517) 337-8000; Fabiano's Homemade Candies, 1427 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, fabianoscandies.com, (517) 482-7871
Several weeks before your date, confirm with your BFF that you'll be exchanging adorable Valentine's gifts. This will ensure that you'll receive something cool, since your BFF will secretly be battling you to create the most thoughtful present. Perhaps visit Rae's Yarn Boutique to knit a cable scarf with hand-dyed alpaca wool yarn. Bring along a nice bottle of pinot noir to prove that someone wants to get your BFF drunk tonight, even if it's only you. Choose a restaurant that's suitably cute but not overwhelmingly fancy, like the Traveler's Club International Restaurant and Tuba Museum, which has an impressive sampling of dishes from around the globe and a beer menu that includes a variety of microbrews. After dinner, exchange gifts, watch a chick flick.
Rae's Yarn Boutique: 2004 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, raesyarnboutique.com, (517) 336-YARN; Traveler's Club, 2138 Hamilton Rd., Okemos, travelerstuba.com, (517) 349-1701
First dates are not something you should mess around with. These several hours will make or break your future with this individual, and the stakes are especially raised around Valentine's Day when you're surrounded by googly-eyed couples who are already planning the interior décor of their bungalow. Instead of frantically scrambling to make conversation with the stranger sitting across from you, turn the would-be awkward pauses into moments of hilarity at one of REACH Studio Art Center's "Casual Clay" drop-in sessions. On the third Friday of every month the studio is open to curious novices who are interested in clay work. A facilitator will provide basic instructions and suggestions, and even if your bowl ends up looking more like a telescope, it's guaranteed that you'll have charmed the wits out of your date. It worked for Demi and Patrick in Ghost.
REACH Studio Art Center: 1804 South Washington Ave., Lansing; Casual Clay sessions on the third Friday of every month, 7:30-9:30 p.m.; $15 per person, clay purchased separately.
If you're in the point in your relationship where getting all hot and sweaty in front of your mate is habitual instead of uncomfortable, try a hot vinyasa class at YogaState. The warm room makes muscles and tendons pliable, so you can manipulate your extremities in ways you never thought possible. All of the ohm-ing will calm a jumbled mind, and when you sneak a wink at your date as you lie in savasana, chakras balanced and body in tune, the rest of the evening will assuredly proceed blissfully. Be on the lookout for couple's yoga classes, which are frequently offered at local studios in February and focus on poses for two. If a sweat-soaked rendezvous isn't your thing, sign up for a five-week ballroom dancing workshop at the Platinum Dance Academy. Swing classes begin on Feb. 8, and run every Wednesday from 8:30-9:15 p.m.
Yoga State: 515 E. Grand River, East Lansing. $13 per drop-in, $11 for students, yogastate.net; Platinum Dance Academy: 4976 1/2 Northwind Dr., East Lansing. $65 per person, platinumdanceacademy.com
You've been with your significant other for years now, and though you still adore each other, the thought of planning an extensive outing for Valentine's Day is so 10 years ago. That's OK, because grandiose gestures are no longer necessary to remind your partner how much you love him or her. Instead, set aside an evening, turn off your cell phone, order some take-out from Wok & Roll, and snuggle underneath a blanket while playing a board game such as Trivial Pursuit, which requires more interaction than sitting in front of another movie. Wok & Roll's vegetables are crisp and flavorful, the shrimp is perfectly cooked and fresh, and the dishes are not doused in an excessive amount of gloppy sauce, allowing the flavors of meat and veggies to come through. The portions are generous enough that you and your mate can share a meal; try the Szechuan Shrimp, which is perfectly spicy. Pop some champagne to wash it down and celebrate your relationship expertise.
Wok & Roll: 3050 East Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, (517) 332-1811
No, this doesn't mean balancing a bucket full of water at the top of your girlfriend's door so you can film her reaction when she's drenched. Stick to safer material and visit Connxtions Comedy Club, which offers a "Laugh Package" that includes admission for two, four drink tickets, and one appetizer. Though we, of course, can't guarantee the funniness of the various stand-up acts, keep in mind that everything is more hilarious after a few drinks.
Connxtions Comedy Club: 2900 N. East St., Lansing, $8-$15. Laugh Package is $49. connxtionscomedyclub.com
For an offbeat adventure, conjure forward the wild rhythms in your soul with a small group of like-minded dancers at 5Rhythms, a movement meditation practice that weaves five rhythms (flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness) together to create a "wave." The soundtrack changes each time and is assembled by different people to ensure an ever-evolving dance. The principals behind the practice state that everything produces energy, which moves in waves and patterns. In dancing each of the five rhythms, participants are taken through a broad experience of emotion and expression, and though talking isn't allowed, participants are encouraged to communicate physically through touching or body percussions.
