Kookiest family at center of musical production

America’s kookiest family comes to musical life in “The Addams Family,” coming to the Whitefish Performing Arts Center April 27-29.

The Tony Award-nominated musical is based on the iconic illustrations by Charles Addams and the hit TV show they spawned, and will be performed by 31 students ages 13-18 from nine different schools across the Flathead Valley. It is part of the ATP Kids theatre education program and is presented by Kalispell KiDDS.

Featuring original music by Drama Desk Award winner, Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Wild Party) and is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, this delightfully funny musical was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

“I grew up watching ‘The Addams Family’ in syndication,” says ATP Producing Artistic Director, Betsi Morrison who, along with Broadway veteran, Luke Walrath, is teaching the teenage students. “They’ve created a hilarious musical that’s true to the zany spirit of the TV show and illustrations that ultimately has a fantastic message about the power of love.”

The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in “The Addams Family.” This magnificently macabre new musical comedy features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has 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 weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

ATP Kids is the cornerstone of Alpine Theatre Project’s educational programming, which include programs for elementary, middle, and high school students along with professional internships. More than 1,200 students have taken part in ATP’s educational programs since 2008.

This session is presented by Kalispell KiDDS and sponsored by the Foley Family Charitable Foundation with assistance from the Ila B Dousman Fund, Stebbins Orthodontics, John & Kris Vandenburgh, Flathead Urology, Freedom Bank, Glacier Park Realty, Kalispell Regional Healthcare, Northwest Imaging, and State Farm Insurance. Tickets are $10 for students and $18 for adults and can be purchased by calling 406-862-7469 or visiting atpwhitefish.org