Based on Jersey Boys' creators Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice's book, the plot is whimsically slim — eighteen-year-old Wednesday has fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, an apparently WASP-ish young man, and insists that her eccentric family act 'normal' just for one night as they host dinner to meet Lucas' strait-laced parents from Ohio. Echoes of The Birdcage and The Rocky Horror Show abound. However, there are a couple of mild twists, plenty of macabre sight gags, devilishly witty lyrics and dialogue stuffed with black humour to keep us engaged throughout.
Director and choreographer David Wynen artfully capitalises on practical restrictions by drawing the best out of his talented cast. Compensating for the modest stage design, Wynen utilises supporting cast members to enrich the atmosphere — the 'ghosts of deceased ancestors' literally embody the scenes as framed family portraits, sculptures and trees.
Andrew Thomas (Gomez), Georgia Moore (Wednesday) and Syd Zygier (Morticia) are luminous standouts, with the latter skilfully pulling off Secrets despite a wardrobe malfunction. The highlight belongs to Liam Dodds (Uncle Fester) in the surreal and hilarious levitation number The Moon And Me.
An overzealous smoke machine in Tango de Amor and a technical issue which unfortunately forced the audience to stand in the cramped, seatless foyer for close to 40 minutes of interval were the only other hiccups in an otherwise enjoyable, highly uplifting production.
