Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"... “The Addams Family” that returns to Chicago this week, and this week only, does not come with Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and the sense of must-see excitement and pumped-up pizazz that pervaded its pre-Broadway engagement at the Oriental Theatre in 2009. That’s the downside. But if Gomez, Morticia and the crew do not arrive like rock stars, this enjoyable if visually simplified national tour features many different songs from the Chicago tryout and a significantly improved and far more satisfying story."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"... Just what exactly IS “normal” in the realm of love and marriage? That, of course, is the big rhetorical question hanging over the show (and the drolly gothic Charles Addams cartoons that inspired it). But more crucially, as this musical explores two long marriages, and a third about to be entered into, it is the whole notion of truth and lies that takes on paramount importance here, happily supplanting the tired themes of midlife crisis and aging."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"... Douglas Sills, with his rich baritone, brilliant comic timing and over-the-top Spanish accent stars as Gomez and is perfectly matched by Sarah Gettelfinger’s voluptuous, belting, hoofing Morticia. Cortney Wolf dazzles as Wednesday, Blake Hammond’s Uncle Fester is sweetly silly and both Lurch (Tom Korbeil) and Pugsley (Patrick D. Kennedy) are much funnier characters now and better utilized in a show that has happily returned from the dead."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"... With delightful comic tunes from the ‘moon-struck’ Fester ( “The Moon and Me”) is a hoot) and his team of white covered ghosts, The Addams Family effectively entertains garnering laughs and toe-tapping songs. The changes, edits and focus made after the premiere in Chicago in 2009 sure has made this musical into a light yet charming wink-wink fun show. The show has more truth with non-star talents playing Gomez and Morticia. Too bad it is only running for a week (through January 1, 2012) – it’s worth seeing."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"... Everyone tries to act as "normal" as can be. But, what is normal and according to whose definition? There is trust abound between Gomez (Douglas Sills) and his lovely wife Morticia (Sara Gettelfinger) until the trust is challenged by Wednesday (Cortney Wolfson) who asks dad not to say anything to mom about being engaged. So Gomez is "Trapped," in a funny musical number. And then the truth eventually comes out, as it usually does, with the help of young chubby Pugsley (Patrick D. Kennedy), who tries to stir up some witches brew for his sister to drink that would bring out the demon in her."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"... Broadway in Chicago presents THE ADDAMS FAMILY the Broadway Musical. Wednesday Addams is secretly engaged to an Ohioan. Because Lucas Beineke is just a normal, average guy, Wednesday knows he’s not eccentric enough for her family of misfits. She conspires to keep their pending nuptials from her mother’s scrutiny. And Wednesday enlists her reluctant father to keep her secret. When the Addams sit down to dinner with the Beinekes, it’s a clash of family values. For a one week limited engagement, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is only home for the holidays!"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... This production , in my opinion, far outweighs the original one as it has been fine tuned during its run and has become more of an ensemble piece. While I know that “stars” have graced the Broadway stage in the main roles, this company proves that you do not need big names to make the show work, but rather strong talent which this cast is filled with. In addition to Mr. Sills as the Spanish romantic Gomez and Ms Gettelfinger as Morticia, Blake Hammond takes Uncle Fester to new heights ( and I do mean heights), Pippa Pearthree is adorable as Grandma, Patrick Kennedy is cute as a button as Pugsley and Lurch is deftly handled by Tom Corbeil."