Not having seen the Broadway Musical, The Addams Family, I was looking forward to a terrific show, given the scoop ahead of time that the Broadway Musical had undergone some revision from the original one on Broadway. Well, of course, I am not able to make any comparisons between the original and the one being presented here at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. All I can say is that this is an excellent production loaded with entertainment for the whole family.

In an original story, Wednesday Addams (adorable and talented Courtney Wolfson), young daughter of Gomez (handsome Douglas Sills) and Morticia (pallid but sexy Sara Gettelfinger) has gone ahead and grown up. And wouldn't you know it? She has fallen in love with Lucas (Brian Justin Crum) who comes from a "normal" family.

Wednesday confides this information to her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Well, Gomez has never kept any secrets from Morticia and he finds himself in an untenable situation. When the Addams family hosts a dinner to meet Lucas and his family, the craziness of the show comes off as comedic thunder.

The wonderful characters that come to life to make up the production give the show its oomph. Besides Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and Lucas, there is Gaelen Gilliland as Alice Beineke, mother of Lucas who brings the house down with her rendition of "Waiting." Douglas Sills is superb. He has a great voice and elicits much talent as Gomez. Patrick D. Kennedy is impish and cute as young brother Pugsley. All of the Addams Ancestors (a chorus from the grave) are refreshing as are all of the other cast members that include Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester, Tom Corbell (Lurch) and Martin Vidnovic (Mal Beineke). The imaginative set and costumes by Tom Watson brings magic to the whole show.

The Addams Family will play Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sunday at 1 PM and 6:30 PM, closing Sunday, June 17. The Pantages Theatre is located at 6233 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes including intermission. Recommended for ages 7 and up. (In consideration of audiences, no one under 5 is admitted.)

Tickets are available online at www.BroadwayLA.org , by phone at (800) 982-2887, at the Pantages Box Office (open daily at 10 AM) and all Ticketmaster Outlets.

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